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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Spencer Municipal Water Utility

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

74

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

54

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20147.20 ppb556.00 ppb - 10.00 ppb
20157.40 ppb556.00 ppb - 9.00 ppb
20165.63 ppb1611ND - 13.0 ppb
20175.88 ppb1613ND - 11.0 ppb
20184.69 ppb169ND - 11.0 ppb
20196.69 ppb1611ND - 15.0 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-04-0920459596.00 ppb
2014-07-0220637748.00 ppb
2014-07-0220637756.00 ppb
2014-07-02206377310.00 ppb
2014-10-0620850926.00 ppb
2015-01-15OE2104407.00 ppb
2015-01-15OE2104386.00 ppb
2015-07-06OE2646879.00 ppb
2015-10-05OE3030979.00 ppb
2015-10-05OE3030966.00 ppb
2016-01-11OE334995ND
2016-01-11OE3349947.00 ppb
2016-01-11OE33499710.00 ppb
2016-01-11OE3349967.00 ppb
2016-04-05OE3631316.00 ppb
2016-04-05OE363132ND
2016-04-05OE363133ND
2016-04-06OE3631349.00 ppb
2016-07-13OE4012119.00 ppb
2016-07-13OE4012046.00 ppb
2016-07-13OE401209ND
2016-07-13OE4012107.00 ppb
2016-10-03OE436969ND
2016-10-03OE4369689.00 ppb
2016-10-03OE43697113.0 ppb
2016-10-03OE4369707.00 ppb
2017-01-09OE4701076.00 ppb
2017-01-09OE470105ND
2017-01-09OE4701049.00 ppb
2017-01-09OE4701067.00 ppb
2017-04-10OE50098211.0 ppb
2017-04-10OE5009836.00 ppb
2017-04-10OE5009846.00 ppb
2017-04-12OE501536ND
2017-07-12OE536379ND
2017-07-12OE5363786.00 ppb
2017-07-12OE5363807.00 ppb
2017-07-12OE5363817.00 ppb
2017-10-02OE5736717.00 ppb
2017-10-02OE5736737.00 ppb
2017-10-02OE5736726.00 ppb
2017-10-02OE5736709.00 ppb
2018-01-03OE6074747.00 ppb
2018-01-03OE607473ND
2018-01-03OE607472ND
2018-01-03OE607471ND
2018-04-05OE6434548.00 ppb
2018-04-05OE6434518.00 ppb
2018-04-05OE643452ND
2018-04-05OE643453ND
2018-07-09OE68176910.00 ppb
2018-07-09OE6817687.00 ppb
2018-07-09OE681767ND
2018-07-09OE6817667.00 ppb
2018-10-09OE7261418.00 ppb
2018-10-09OE726142ND
2018-10-09OE7261439.00 ppb
2018-10-09OE72614411.0 ppb
2019-01-07OE75824711.0 ppb
2019-01-07OE758248ND
2019-01-07OE7582499.00 ppb
2019-01-07OE75825013.0 ppb
2019-04-08OE7918057.00 ppb
2019-04-08OE79180815.0 ppb
2019-04-08OE7918076.00 ppb
2019-04-08OE791806ND
2019-07-08OE8324299.00 ppb
2019-07-08OE832432ND
2019-07-08OE83243010.00 ppb
2019-07-16OE8361959.00 ppb
2019-10-01OE87390111.0 ppb
2019-10-01OE873900ND
2019-10-01OE873899ND
2019-10-01OE8738987.00 ppb