Siler City, City of
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 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
- Siler City, North Carolina
- Serves: 8,501
- Data available: 2014-2019
- Source: Surface water
Contaminants Detected
12
EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES
18 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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See the guideContaminants Detected
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer123x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEBromodichloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromodichloromethane was found at 123 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane 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.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer83x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEChloroform
more aboutthis contaminant
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.
Chloroform was found at 83 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
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.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer7.1x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEDibromochloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dibromochloromethane was found at 7.1 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane 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.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer109x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEDichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Dichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dichloroacetic acid was found at 109 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 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.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.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†
Potential Effect: cancer392x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEHaloacetic acids (HAA5)
more aboutthis 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 392 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
Potential Effect: 4.7x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEPerfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
more aboutthis 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 4.7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
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
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
Potential Effect: 3.2x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEPerfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
more aboutthis contaminant
Perfluoroheptanoic acid 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.
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) was found at 3.2 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppt = parts per trillion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for perfluoroheptanoic acid 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
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Potential Effect: 7x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
more aboutthis 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 7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Potential Effect: 12x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
more aboutthis 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 12 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer857x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEPerfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
more aboutthis 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 857 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Potential Effect: cancer274x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINETotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
more aboutthis contaminant
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 274 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer172x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINETrichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Trichloroacetic acid was found at 172 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 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.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.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
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.
† 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.
Fluoride
more aboutthis contaminant
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems.
How your levels compare
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppm = parts per million
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Monochloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Monochloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 53 ppb for monochloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 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 system toxicity.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
more aboutthis contaminant
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) 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.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppt = parts per trillion
Pollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
more aboutthis contaminant
Perfluorohexanoic acid 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.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppt = parts per trillion
Pollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS)
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS)
more aboutthis contaminant
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFPeS 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.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppt = parts per trillion
Pollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)
more aboutthis contaminant
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) 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.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppt = parts per trillion
Pollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authori.
Other Contaminants Tested
✕Siler City, City of compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, Siler City, City of complied with health-based drinking water standards.
Information in this section on Siler City, City of comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITYWater Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
| CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
| Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
| Fluoride | ✔ | ||
| Monochloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Take Action
Contact Your Local Official
One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.
LEARN MOREFilter Out Contaminants
Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.
EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE
