Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Cassadaga Village

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.

 

11

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

10

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2018N/A00N/A
2019N/A00N/A
20209.78 ppb443.30 ppb - 18.7 ppb
20213.78 ppb65ND - 7.40 ppb
2022N/A00N/A
20236.40 ppb116.40 ppb

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
2020-08-1820 DBPS CASS AMES18.7 ppb
2020-08-1820 DBPS CASS BARD5.10 ppb
2020-11-18Q420 DBPS BARD RD3.30 ppb
2020-11-18Q420 DBPS CASS AMES12.0 ppb
2021-03-31Q1 21 DBP CASS AMES4.90 ppb
2021-03-31Q1 21 DBP CASS BARD4.90 ppb
2021-06-02Q2 21 DBP CASS AMES3.00 ppb
2021-06-02Q2 21 DBP CASS BARDND
2021-11-17Q4 21 DBP CASS AMES7.40 ppb
2021-11-17Q4 21 DBP CASS BARD2.50 ppb
2023-08-23Q3 23 DBP CASS AMES6.40 ppb