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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Bladen Bluffs Water System

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

  • Tarheel, North Carolina
  • Serves: 4,589
  • Data available: 2014-2019
  • Source: Surface water

Contaminants Detected

5

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

20 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.

Looking for a countertop water filter?

Find out which filters earned EWG's recommendation

See the guide

Contaminants Detected

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

Potential Effect: 7.1x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY7.10 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 7.1 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

7.1 ppt

National Average

156.3 ppt

State Average

0.361 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

Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)

Potential Effect: 14x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY14.1 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)

more about
this 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 14 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

14.1 ppt

National Average

0.215 ppt

State Average

1.56 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 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 icon

Industry

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)

Potential Effect: 7.7x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY7.70 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 7.7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

7.7 ppt

Legal Limit

10 ppt

National Average

0.361 ppt

State Average

0.775 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: 8.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY8.30 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 8.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

8.3 ppt

Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

0.908 ppt

State Average

1.77 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: cancer1,214x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY8.50 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 1,214 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.007 ppt or less

This Utility

8.5 ppt

Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

1.15 ppt

State Average

0.945 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

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.


Other Contaminants Tested


Chemicals tested for but not detected from 2014 to 2019:

1,1,1-Trichloroethane , 1,1,2-Trichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethylene , 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 10:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (10:2 FTSA) , 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate , 2,2,3,3,4,5,5,5-4-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-sulfoetho, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA) , 4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA) , 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTSA) , 8:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (8:2 FTSA) , 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate , Alachlor (Lasso) , Antimony , Arsenic , Atrazine , Barium , Benzene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Beryllium , Cadmium , Carbofuran , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlordane , Chromium (total) , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , Cyanide , Dalapon , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dinoseb , Endrin , Ethanesulfonic acid, 2-[1-[difluoro[(1,2,2-trifluo, Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Lindane , Mercury (inorganic) , Methoxychlor , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , N-(3-dimethylaminopropan-1-yl)perfluoro-1-hexane-s, N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-N-[3-(1H,1H,2H,2H-p, N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N, N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid , N-[3-(perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonamido)propan-1-yl]-N, Nitrate , Nitrate & nitrite , Nitrite , o-Dichlorobenzene , Oxamyl (Vydate) , p-Dichlorobenzene , Pentachlorophenol , Perfluoro(3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic) acid , Perfluoro(3,5,7,9-tetraoxadecanoic) acid (PFO4DA) , Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA) , Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS) , Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) , Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS) , Perfluorohexane sulfonamide (FHxSA) , Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS) , Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) , Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) , Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) , Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) , Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , Propanoic acid, 3-[1-[difluoro(1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro, Selenium , Simazine , Styrene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Thallium , Toluene , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , Trichloroethylene , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Bladen Bluffs Water System compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Bladen Bluffs Water System complied with health-based drinking water standards.

Information in this section on Bladen Bluffs Water System 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
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro-ethoxy)ethane sulfonic acid (NVHOS)
Ethanesulfonic acid, 2-[1-[difluoro(1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)methyl]-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy]-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro
Fluoride
Manganese
Perfluoro(3,5,7-trioxaoctanoic) acid (PFO3OA)
Perfluoro(3,5-dioxahexanoic) acid (PFO2HxA)
Perfluoro-2-ethoxypropanoic acid (PEPA)
Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA)
Perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid (PMPA)
Perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid (GenX)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
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 MORE

Filter Out Contaminants

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

EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE