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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Chandler Terrace

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 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

  • Plaistow, New Hampshire
  • Serves: 30
  • Data available: 2014-2019
  • Source: Groundwater

Contaminants Detected

8

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

16 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: 2.6x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.64 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 2.6 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

2.64 ppt

National Average

156.3 ppt

State Average

0.296 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: 11x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY11.2 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 11 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

11.2 ppt

National Average

0.215 ppt

State Average

0.491 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: 13x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY12.7 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 13 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

12.7 ppt

Legal Limit

10 ppt

National Average

0.361 ppt

State Average

0.252 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

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

Potential Effect: 18x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY18.3 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorononanoic acid, otherwise known as PFNA or C9, is a PFC similar in function and use to PFOA. These chemicals were used in the production of non-stick, stain repellent and chemically inert coatings. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was found at 18 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

18.3 ppt

Legal Limit

10 ppt

National Average

0.06 ppt

State Average

0.007 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 perfluorononanoic 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

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Potential Effect: 23x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY22.9 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 23 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

22.9 ppt

Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

0.908 ppt

State Average

1.01 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: cancer5,789x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY40.5 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 5,789 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.007 ppt or less

This Utility

40.5 ppt

Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

1.15 ppt

State Average

3.2 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

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Potential Effect: cancer47x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.34 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.05 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT5 pCi/L
DETAILS
X

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

more about
this contaminant

Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations.

Radium, combined (-226 & -228) was found at 47 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

2.34 pCi/L

Legal Limit

5 pCi/L

National Average

0.46 pCi/L

State Average

0.62 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

EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. 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

Uranium

Potential Effect: cancer14x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY5.85 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 14 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.43 pCi/L or less

This Utility

5.85 pCi/L

Legal Limit

20 pCi/L

National Average

1.04 pCi/L

State Average

0.28 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; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.


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 , 1,2,3-Trichloropropane , 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (hemellitol) , 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 , 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 2-Hexanone , 3-Hydroxycarbofuran , Acetone , Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldicarb , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Aldrin , Antimony , Arsenic , Atrazine , Barium , Baygon (Propoxur) , Benzene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Beryllium , Bromobenzene , Bromochloromethane , Bromodichloromethane , Bromoform , Bromomethane , Butachlor , Cadmium , Carbaryl , Carbofuran , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlordane , Chloroethane , Chloroform , Chloromethane , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Dalapon , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Dibromochloromethane , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dieldrin , Dinoseb , Diquat , Endrin , Ethyl ether , Ethyl tert-butyl ether , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Fluoride , Glyphosate , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Isopropyl ether , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Mercury (inorganic) , Methiocarb , Methomyl , Methoxychlor , Methyl ethyl ketone , Methyl isobutyl ketone , Metolachlor , Metribuzin , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , n-Butylbenzene , n-Propylbenzene , Naphthalene , Nitrite , Nitrobenzene , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , Oxamyl (Vydate) , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Pentachlorophenol , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , Propachlor , sec-Butylbenzene , Selenium , Silver , Simazine , Styrene , tert-Amyl methyl ether , tert-Butyl alcohol , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrahydrofuran , Thallium , Toluene , Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Trichlorofluoromethane , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Chandler Terrace compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Chandler Terrace complied with health-based drinking water standards.

Information in this section on Chandler Terrace 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)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Uranium, combined (pCi/L)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
1,4-Dioxane
Chromium (total)
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Manganese
MTBE
Nitrate
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Trichloroethylene

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