Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Beryllium

Polk City Water Supply

NOTE: Polk City Water Supply purchases water from Des Moines Water Works which is required to test for beryllium. Sample information shown below was taken by Des Moines Water Works.

Beryllium is a toxic metal that is both naturally occurring and released into the environment from industrial pollution and incineration. Beryllium can damage lungs, bones and the digestive system.

 

7

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND10ND
2020ND10ND
2021ND20ND
2022ND10ND
2023N/A00N/A

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 1 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppb for beryllium 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 harm to the stomach and intestines.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 4 ppb

The legal limit for beryllium, established in 1992, was based on a toxicity study in laboratory animals published in 1970. This limit does not include any additional consideration of children’s health.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

NOTE: Polk City Water Supply purchases water from Des Moines Water Works which is required to test for beryllium. Sample information shown below was taken by Des Moines Water Works.

Date Lab ID Result
2018-07-16OE683857ND
2018-07-16OE683858ND
2018-10-08OE724008ND
2019-07-16OE835739ND
2020-01-27OE921077ND
2021-04-05OE1648618ND
2021-04-05OE1648619ND