Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

UTILITY

Smith Utility District

location

South Carthage, Tennessee

serves

8,797

source

Surface water

data

2018-2024

Overview

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, 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 (April 2024 - June 2024), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Contaminants Detected

Bromodichloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 3.62 ppb

60x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb

Bromodichloromethane

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 60 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

3.62 ppb

National Average

5.89 ppb

State Average

3.91 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chloroform

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 33.5 ppb

84x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb

Chloroform

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 84 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.4 ppb or less

This Utility

33.5 ppb

National Average

16.2 ppb

State Average

17.7 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 16.5 ppb

82x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.2 ppb

Dichloroacetic acid

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 82 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.2 ppb or less

This Utility

16.5 ppb

National Average

8 ppb

State Average

9.66 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to reproduction and child development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 37.0 ppb

370x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

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 370 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

37 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

19.8 ppb

State Average

21.5 ppb

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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 41.1 ppb

685x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 685 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

41.1 ppb

National Average

23.7 ppb

State Average

28.4 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2021.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.328 ppm

2.3x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.14 ppm

Nitrate

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 2.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.328 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.824 ppm

State Average

0.56 ppm

Health Risks

The EWG health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppm = parts per million

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 38.4 ppb

256x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.15 ppb

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

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 256 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

38.4 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.1 ppb

State Average

30.4 ppb

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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Trichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 19.6 ppb

196x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Trichloroacetic acid

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 196 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

19.6 ppb

National Average

6.57 ppb

State Average

10.5 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to reproduction and child development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 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.

Atrazine

This Utility: 0.0263 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Atrazine

Atrazine is a herbicide commonly detected in drinking water that comes from cornfield and other agricultural runoff. It is a hormone disrupter that harms the male and female reproductive systems of people and wildlife.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

0.0263 ppb

Legal Limit

3 ppb

National Average

0.0145 ppb

State Average

0.0109 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for atrazine was defined by EWG based on epidemiological studies of human exposure to atrazine in drinking water.. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus, harm to the reproductive system and hormone disruption.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Barium

This Utility: 20.2 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 700 ppb

Barium

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

700 ppb or less

This Utility

20.2 ppb

Legal Limit

2,000 ppb

National Average

39.5 ppb

State Average

29.4 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Manganese

This Utility: 4.47 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 100 ppb

Manganese

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

100 ppb or less

This Utility

4.47 ppb

National Average

8.66 ppb

State Average

2.38 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a 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 brain and nervous system.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Ion Exchange

Monochloroacetic acid

This Utility: 0.993 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 53 ppb

Monochloroacetic acid

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

53 ppb or less

This Utility

0.993 ppb

National Average

0.497 ppb

State Average

0.944 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 53 ppb for monochloroacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a public health goal. This health guideline protects against change to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

This Utility: 1.33 ppt

EWG's Health Guideline: 2,000 ppt

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

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.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

2,000 ppt or less

This Utility

1.33 ppt

National Average

0.679 ppt

State Average

1.01 ppt

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 2,000 ppt for perfluorobutane sulfonate was defined by EPA’s Human Health toxicity value. This health guideline hormone disruption and harm to fetal growth and child development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2024.

ppt = parts per trillion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.

Other Contaminants Tested

Chemicals tested for but not detected:

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-Trichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropene, 1-butanol, 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic aci, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4-D, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-propen-1-ol, 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-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (, Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Benzene, Beryllium, Bromobenzene, Bromoform, Bromomethane, Butanoic acid, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoro, Butylated hydroxyanisole, Cadmium, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroethane, Chloromethane, Chlorpyriphos, Chromium (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Cyanide, Dibromoacetic acid, Dibromochloromethane, Dibromomethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dimethipin, Ethoprop, Ethylbenzene, Fluoride, Germanium, Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), Lithium, m-Dichlorobenzene, Mercury (inorganic), Monobromoacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene), N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N, N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, o-toluidine, Oxyflurofen, p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS), Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA), Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Permethrin, Picloram, Profenofos, Propanoic acid, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluorome, Quinoline, Selenium, Silver, Styrene, Tebuconazole, Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), Thallium, Toluene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Tribufos, Trichloroethylene, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Find A Filter

Utility: 

Smith Utility District
view utility

Carbon Filters

FILTERS 7 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+3 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Reduced maintenance

cons

  • Does not remove all contaminants

Reverse Osmosis

FILTERS 8 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+4 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Most effective

cons

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Requires more maintenance
  • Wastes water

Other Considerations

Ion Exchange

Pros: Softens hard water, Reduces some contaminants

Cons: Doesn’t remove all contaminants

Whole-House Filters

Pros: Useful for reducing radiologicals and TCE

Cons: Expensive to install and maintain, Risk of bacterial contamination

Distillation

Pros: Removes heavy metals and harmful microbes

Cons: Does not reduce most contaminants

Explore filter options for each contaminant. See which technologies are effective at reducing specific contaminants to help you make an informed decision on the best water treatment solution for your needs.

CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Bromodichloromethane
Chloroform
Dichloroacetic acid
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Nitrate
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Trichloroacetic acid
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Atrazine
Barium
Manganese
Monochloroacetic acid
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)