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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Chino Basin Desalter Authority - Desalter 1

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the California State Water Resources Control Board, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility Details

  • San Bernardino County, California
  • Data available: 2014-2019
  • Source: Groundwater

Contaminants Detected

11

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

33 Total Contaminants

  • Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
  • Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
  • The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.

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Contaminants Detected

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

Potential Effect: cancer92x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.0645 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.0007 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

more about
this contaminant

1,2,3-Trichloropropane is a potent carcinogen that contaminates drinking water in agricultural regions where it was historically used as soil fumigant. Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

1,2,3-Trichloropropane was found at 92 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.0007 ppb or less

This Utility

0.0645 ppb

National Average

0.00041 ppb

State Average

0.000697 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.0007 ppb for 1,2,3-trichloropropane was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Arsenic

Potential Effect: cancer708x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.83 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.004 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppb
DETAILS
X

Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.

Arsenic was found at 708 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.004 ppb or less

This Utility

2.83 ppb

Legal Limit

10 ppb

National Average

0.647 ppb

State Average

1.1 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

agriculture icon

Agriculture

industry icon

Industry

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Chromium (hexavalent)

Potential Effect: cancer140x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.79 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Chromium (hexavalent)

more about
this contaminant

Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).

Chromium (hexavalent) was found at 140 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

2.79 ppb

National Average

0.484 ppb

State Average

1.36 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer11x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.07 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb
DETAILS
X

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

more about
this contaminant

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.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 11 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

1.07 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

17.1 ppb

State Average

12.5 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

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.

Pollution Sources

water treatment icon

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer23x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.21 ppm
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.14 ppm
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppm
DETAILS
X

Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.

Nitrate was found at 23 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

3.21 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.935 ppm

State Average

1.9 ppm
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppm = parts per million

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Pollution Sources

agriculture icon

Agriculture

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

Potential Effect: 3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.01 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) was found at 3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

3.01 ppt

National Average

156.3 ppt

State Average

0.297 ppt
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for perfluorobutane sulfonate was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)

Potential Effect: 6.4x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY6.39 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorohexane sulfonate is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. Perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) was found at 6.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

6.39 ppt

Legal Limit

10 ppt

National Average

0.361 ppt

State Average

0.617 ppt
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for perfluorohexane sulfonate was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Potential Effect: 2.9x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.91 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
PROPOSED LEGAL LIMIT4 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was found at 2.9 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

2.91 ppt

Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

0.908 ppt

State Average

1.63 ppt
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for PFOS was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Potential Effect: cancer165x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.16 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.007 ppt
PROPOSED LEGAL LIMIT4 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOA and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found at 165 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.007 ppt or less

This Utility

1.16 ppt

Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

1.15 ppt

State Average

0.71 ppt
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppt for PFOA was proposed by California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Trichloroethylene

Potential Effect: harm to the developing fetus and damage to the immune system3.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.34 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.4 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT5 ppb
DETAILS
X

Trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent and common groundwater pollutant, damages the immune system, harms the developing fetus and causes cancer.

Trichloroethylene was found at 3.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.4 ppb or less

This Utility

1.34 ppb

Legal Limit

5 ppb

National Average

0.0176 ppb

State Average

0.0842 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for trichloroethylene was defined by the state of Minnesota as health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus and damage to the immune system.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Uranium

Potential Effect: cancer21x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY9.14 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.43 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT20 pCi/L
DETAILS
X

Uranium is a known human carcinogen. The federal legal limit for uranium is set at 30 micrograms per liter (corresponding to parts per billion), but utilities can also report uranium in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is a measure of radioactivity in water. EWG translated all uranium results to pCi/L using a conversion factor developed by the EPA. With this conversion approach, the limit of 30 ppb corresponds to 20 pCi/L. Drinking water with this much uranium would cause more than 4.6 cancer cases in a population of 100,000. California set a public health goal for uranium of 0.43 pCi/L.

Uranium was found at 21 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.43 pCi/L or less

This Utility

9.14 pCi/L

Legal Limit

20 pCi/L

National Average

1.04 pCi/L

State Average

2.54 pCi/L
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2014-2019.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.43 pCi/L for uranium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. Three most common uranium isotopes are U-234, U-235 and U-238. All isotopes of uranium are radioactive, and the total radioactivity depends on the ratio of isotopes. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program in 2013 to 2015 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.

† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.


Other Contaminants Tested


Chemicals tested for but not detected from 2014 to 2019:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,1-Trichloroethane , 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,2-Trichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethylene , 1,1-Dichloropropene , 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene , 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene , 1,3-Dichloropropane , 1,3-Dichloropropene , 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic aci, 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 3-Hydroxycarbofuran , 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (, Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldicarb , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Aldrin , Antimony , Asbestos , Atrazine , Bentazon (Basagran) , Benzene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Beryllium , bis(2-chloroethyl) ether , Bromobenzene , Bromochloromethane , Bromomethane , Cadmium , Carbaryl , Carbofuran , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlordane , Chloroethane , Chloromethane , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Cyanide , Dalapon , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Dibromoacetic acid , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichloroacetic acid , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dieldrin , Dinoseb , Diquat , Endothall , Endrin , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Glyphosate , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Mercury (inorganic) , Methomyl , Methoxychlor , Methyl ethyl ketone , Methyl isobutyl ketone , Molinate , Monobromoacetic acid , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , MTBE , n-Butylbenzene , N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N, N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid , N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) , n-Propylbenzene , Naphthalene , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , Oxamyl (Vydate) , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Pentachlorophenol , Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) , Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) , Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) , Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) , Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) , Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , Propachlor , sec-Butylbenzene , Simazine , Styrene , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Thallium , Thiobencarb , Toluene , Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Trichloroacetic acid , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Chino Basin Desalter Authority - Desalter 1 compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Chino Basin Desalter Authority - Desalter 1 complied with health-based drinking water standards.

Information in this section on Chino Basin Desalter Authority - Desalter 1 comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITY

Water Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels

ContaminantActivated Carbonactivated carbonReverse Osmosisreverse osmosisIon Exchangeion exchange
CONTAMINANTS ABOVE
HEALTH GUIDELINES
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
Arsenic
Chromium (hexavalent)
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Nitrate
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Trichloroethylene
Uranium, combined (pCi/L)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)
Aluminum
Barium
Bromodichloromethane
Bromoform
Chloroform
Chromium (total)
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Dibromochloromethane
Fluoride
Manganese
Monochloroacetic acid
Nitrite
Perchlorate
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Selenium
Silver
Trichlorofluoromethane
Trichlorotrifluoroethane
Vanadium

Take Action

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Filter Out Contaminants

Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.

EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE