Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Chloroform

Ruth Water District

Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Read More.

In addition to tap water disinfection, chloroform pollution in the environment also comes from industrial discharges from pulp and paper mills, and from urban wastewater effluent. Human studies show that chloroform damages the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. In animals, chloroform causes infertility, birth defects and cancer.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

3

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018ND30ND
2019ND20ND
2020ND20ND
20210.325 ppb21ND - 0.650 ppb
20221.000 ppb21ND - 2.00 ppb
20230.295 ppb21ND - 0.590 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-09-18B18091818-001ND
2018-09-18B18091818-002ND
2018-11-1518110454-001ND
2019-09-0419090167-001ND
2019-09-0419090167-002ND
2020-09-03202009090657ND
2020-09-03202009090659ND
2021-09-092021091405960.650 ppb
2021-09-09202109140597ND
2022-09-1522090508-001ND
2022-09-1522090508-0022.00 ppb
2023-09-1323090282-001ND
2023-09-1323090282-0020.590 ppb