Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Harris County Municipal Utility District 5

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.

 

48

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

16

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.463 ppb83ND - 1.30 ppb
20194.41 ppb87ND - 23.8 ppb
20200.500 ppb82ND - 3.00 ppb
20211.48 ppb82ND - 7.90 ppb
20223.55 ppb82ND - 14.6 ppb
2023ND80ND

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
2018-02-06AE12481ND
2018-02-06AE124761.20 ppb
2018-05-02AE24794ND
2018-05-02AE24772ND
2018-09-12AE39788ND
2018-09-12AE39789ND
2018-11-26AE468111.30 ppb
2018-11-26AE468121.20 ppb
2019-02-06AE531711.000 ppb
2019-02-06AE531731.20 ppb
2019-04-29AE6392023.8 ppb
2019-04-29AE63933ND
2019-08-15AE788991.000 ppb
2019-08-15AE788681.20 ppb
2019-12-04AE912183.60 ppb
2019-12-04AE912193.50 ppb
2020-02-21AE99488ND
2020-02-21AE99503ND
2020-05-20AF121011.000 ppb
2020-05-20AF12104ND
2020-08-19AF245463.00 ppb
2020-08-19AF24564ND
2020-10-22AF31655ND
2020-10-22AF31656ND
2021-02-02AF421367.90 ppb
2021-02-02AF421383.90 ppb
2021-06-18AF58799ND
2021-06-18AF58804ND
2021-08-12AF66047ND
2021-08-12AF66049ND
2021-10-28AF75038ND
2021-10-28AF75039ND
2022-02-15AF8486614.6 ppb
2022-02-15AF8486813.8 ppb
2022-04-25AF94216ND
2022-04-25AF94217ND
2022-09-16AG13475ND
2022-09-16AG13478ND
2022-11-30AG20270ND
2022-11-30AG20271ND
2023-02-13AG28581ND
2023-02-13AG28583ND
2023-05-09AG39709ND
2023-05-09AG39710ND
2023-07-24AG49767ND
2023-07-24AG49768ND
2023-11-15AG63724ND
2023-11-15AG63725ND