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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Chlorite

SJWTX Triple Peak Plant

Chlorite is a disinfection byproduct resulting from water treatment with chlorine dioxide. Chlorite decreases hemoglobin levels and causes other hematologic effects. Read More.

Chlorite also forms when chlorine dioxide is used as a bleaching agent for textiles, paper pulp, flour and oils, and from the use of chlorine dioxide in food and packaging.� In 2009, California published a public health goal of 50 parts per billion for chlorite in drinking water. California state scientists reported that chlorite causes red blood cell damage, affects sperm and thyroid function, and may alter behavior and neurodevelopment of rat pups exposed in the womb.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

39

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

2

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2013N/A00N/A
201430.4 ppb246ND - 520.0 ppb
20155.00 ppb122ND - 30.0 ppb
2016ND30ND
2017N/A00N/A
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 50 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 50 ppb for chlorite was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against change in blood chemistry.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 1,000 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-01-13237589ND
2014-01-13237590ND
2014-01-13237588ND
2014-02-12238816100.0 ppb
2014-02-12238814ND
2014-02-12238815520.0 ppb
2014-03-20240151ND
2014-03-20240150ND
2014-03-20240152ND
2014-04-0324054120.0 ppb
2014-04-0324052740.0 ppb
2014-04-0324052820.0 ppb
2014-05-08241948ND
2014-05-0824194730.0 ppb
2014-05-08242840ND
2014-06-09242985ND
2014-06-09242984ND
2014-06-09242983ND
2014-07-08365120ND
2014-07-08365119ND
2014-07-08365118ND
2014-12-04379872ND
2014-12-04379873ND
2014-12-04379874ND
2015-01-06382740ND
2015-01-0638274130.0 ppb
2015-01-0638274230.0 ppb
2015-04-09391817ND
2015-04-09391816ND
2015-04-09391815ND
2015-05-11394757ND
2015-05-11394756ND
2015-05-11394758ND
2015-06-10398127ND
2015-06-10398128ND
2015-06-10398129ND
2016-07-19439815ND
2016-07-19439813ND
2016-07-19439814ND