Chloroform
Chautauqua Utility 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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 33.1 ppb | 6 | 6 | 24.4 ppb - 45.5 ppb |
| 2015 | 36.0 ppb | 6 | 6 | 17.4 ppb - 84.1 ppb |
| 2016 | 30.0 ppb | 8 | 8 | 24.0 ppb - 35.0 ppb |
| 2017 | 34.0 ppb | 8 | 8 | 27.2 ppb - 42.4 ppb |
| 2018 | 33.4 ppb | 8 | 8 | 27.0 ppb - 41.0 ppb |
| 2019 | 37.7 ppb | 8 | 8 | 27.0 ppb - 48.0 ppb |
ppb = parts per billion
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.4 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-15 | MAY2014 WWTP | 32.9 ppb |
| 2014-05-15 | MAY2014 TURNER B | 26.5 ppb |
| 2014-08-14 | AUG 2014 TURNER | 45.5 ppb |
| 2014-08-14 | AUG 2014 WWTP | 39.7 ppb |
| 2014-11-06 | NOV14 TURNER-CUD | 24.4 ppb |
| 2014-11-06 | NOV14 CUD WWTP | 29.5 ppb |
| 2015-02-19 | FEB2015 TURNER B | 19.4 ppb |
| 2015-02-19 | FEB15 WWTP-CUD | 17.4 ppb |
| 2015-05-28 | MAY2015 TURNER B | 28.1 ppb |
| 2015-05-28 | MAY 2015 WWTP DB | 23.8 ppb |
| 2015-08-20 | AUG15 CUD WWTP | 43.4 ppb |
| 2015-08-20 | AUG15CUD TURNER | 84.1 ppb |
| 2016-02-24 | FEB15 CUD-WWTP | 34.0 ppb |
| 2016-02-24 | FEB16 CUD-TURNER | 24.0 ppb |
| 2016-05-18 | MAY16 WWTP CUD | 29.0 ppb |
| 2016-05-18 | MAY2016 TURNER B | 25.0 ppb |
| 2016-08-03 | AUG16 TURNER BLD | 32.0 ppb |
| 2016-08-03 | AUG16 WASTEWATER | 29.0 ppb |
| 2016-11-16 | NOV16 WWTP | 35.0 ppb |
| 2016-11-16 | NOV16 TURNER BLD | 32.0 ppb |
| 2017-02-15 | FEB17 WWTP CUD | 30.1 ppb |
| 2017-02-15 | FEB2017 TURNER C | 27.4 ppb |
| 2017-05-03 | MAY17 DBPS CUD | 38.2 ppb |
| 2017-05-03 | MAY17 DBPS CUD # | 42.4 ppb |
| 2017-08-02 | 3RDQT17 TURNER B | 36.3 ppb |
| 2017-08-02 | 3RDQT17 WWTP | 40.2 ppb |
| 2017-11-15 | NOV17 DBP TURNER | 30.1 ppb |
| 2017-11-15 | NOV17 WASTERWATE | 27.2 ppb |
| 2018-02-07 | Q1CUD 18 TURNER | 27.0 ppb |
| 2018-02-07 | Q1 CUD 18 WWTP | 32.0 ppb |
| 2018-05-02 | Q2 CUD 18 WWTP | 27.0 ppb |
| 2018-05-02 | Q2 CUD 18 TURNER | 30.0 ppb |
| 2018-08-01 | Q3 CUD 18 TURNER | 41.0 ppb |
| 2018-08-01 | Q3 CUD 18 WWTP | 40.0 ppb |
| 2018-11-20 | Q4 18 TURNER DBP | 41.0 ppb |
| 2018-11-20 | Q4 18 WWTP DBPS | 29.0 ppb |
| 2019-02-20 | Q1 19 TURNER DBP | 32.0 ppb |
| 2019-02-20 | Q1 19 WWTP DBPS | 27.0 ppb |
| 2019-05-01 | Q2 19 TURNER DBP | 37.0 ppb |
| 2019-05-01 | Q2 19 WWTP DBPS | 40.0 ppb |
| 2019-08-07 | Q3 19 TURNER DBP | 48.0 ppb |
| 2019-08-07 | Q3 19 WWTP DBPS | 41.8 ppb |
| 2019-11-06 | Q4 19 TURNER DBP | 39.2 ppb |
| 2019-11-06 | Q4 19 WWTP DBPS | 36.8 ppb |