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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Fairfield County Utilities PWS

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

56

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

35

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20142.13 ppb124ND - 6.50 ppb
2015ND20ND
2016ND20ND
2017ND40ND
20186.53 ppb128ND - 11.1 ppb
201911.3 ppb2423ND - 48.9 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2014-01-08A140176342ND
2014-01-08A140176343ND
2014-01-08A140176344ND
2014-01-08A140176345ND
2014-04-09A140190994ND
2014-04-09A140190993ND
2014-04-09A140190992ND
2014-04-09A140190991ND
2014-07-09A1402140526.40 ppb
2014-07-09A1402140516.40 ppb
2014-07-09A1402140546.50 ppb
2014-07-09A1402140536.30 ppb
2015-07-15A150311240ND
2015-07-15A150311241ND
2016-07-06A160399663ND
2016-07-06A160399664ND
2017-07-13A170512371ND
2017-07-13A170512370ND
2017-07-13A170512368ND
2017-07-13A170474729ND
2018-07-11A180614239ND
2018-07-11A180614240ND
2018-07-11A180614241ND
2018-07-11A180614242ND
2018-10-09A1806414738.60 ppb
2018-10-09A1806414729.00 ppb
2018-10-09A18064147110.4 ppb
2018-10-09A18064147010.9 ppb
2018-10-09A18064146610.00 ppb
2018-10-09A1806142457.80 ppb
2018-10-09A18061424411.1 ppb
2018-10-09A18064146810.6 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-08ND
2019-01-099A01519-077.00 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-068.90 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-057.90 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-0423.8 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-0310.8 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-026.90 ppb
2019-01-099A01519-016.50 ppb
2019-04-0952112640085.40 ppb
2019-04-0952112640075.90 ppb
2019-04-09521126400648.9 ppb
2019-04-09521126400546.2 ppb
2019-04-0952112640046.50 ppb
2019-04-0952112640037.60 ppb
2019-04-0952112640024.60 ppb
2019-04-0952112640014.90 ppb
2019-07-0952181330017.10 ppb
2019-07-0952181390015.60 ppb
2019-07-1052181350018.60 ppb
2019-07-1052181370016.50 ppb
2019-10-0852252240015.70 ppb
2019-10-08522522400223.7 ppb
2019-10-0852252240035.90 ppb
2019-10-0852252240047.00 ppb