Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Star Sewer and Water District Water System

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.

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46

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

4

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND20ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND20ND
2021ND80ND
20220.338 ppb164ND - 1.62 ppb
2023ND160ND

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

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
2018-07-19D1834278ND
2018-07-19D1834277ND
2019-08-27D1942728ND
2019-08-27D1942729ND
2020-08-05D2037364ND
2020-08-05D2037363ND
2021-08-10D21411556ND
2021-08-10D2141154ND
2021-08-10D2141157ND
2021-08-10D2141155ND
2021-11-15D2161843ND
2021-11-15D2161842ND
2021-12-07D2165685ND
2021-12-07D2165686ND
2022-01-11D2201414ND
2022-01-11D2201415ND
2022-01-11D2201416ND
2022-01-11D2201417ND
2022-05-05D2221604ND
2022-05-05D2221606ND
2022-05-05D2221605ND
2022-05-05D2221607ND
2022-08-08D2238531ND
2022-08-08D2238532ND
2022-08-08D2238533ND
2022-08-08D2238534ND
2022-10-12D22511171.60 ppb
2022-10-12D22511181.14 ppb
2022-10-12D22511191.62 ppb
2022-10-12D22511201.05 ppb
2023-03-01PP2303912-04ND
2023-03-01PP2303912-03ND
2023-03-01PP2303912-02ND
2023-03-01PP2303912-01ND
2023-06-14D2311876-01ND
2023-06-14D2311876-02ND
2023-06-14D2311876-03ND
2023-06-14D2311876-04ND
2023-08-03D2316318-01ND
2023-08-03D2316318-02ND
2023-08-03D2316318-03ND
2023-08-03D2316318-04ND
2023-10-05D2321731-04ND
2023-10-05D2321731-03ND
2023-10-05D2321731-02ND
2023-10-05D2321731-01ND