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 Rhode Island Department of Health, 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.
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.
Contaminants Detected
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 2.46 ppb
No Legal Limit
41x
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 41 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Bromoform
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 1.48 ppb
No Legal Limit
3x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.5 ppb
Bromoform
Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromoform was found at 3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform is 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, harm to reproduction and child development, and 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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 1.72 ppb
No Legal Limit
4.3x
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 4.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dibromoacetic acid
Potential Effect:

This Utility: 0.967 ppb
No Legal Limit
32x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.03 ppb
Dibromoacetic acid
Dibromoacetic 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.
Dibromoacetic acid was found at 32 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.03 ppb for dibromoacetic 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 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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 3.29 ppb
No Legal Limit
33x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb
Dibromochloromethane
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 33 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane 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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.483 ppb
No Legal Limit
2.4x
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 2.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.872 ppb
Legal Limit: 60 ppb
8.7x
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 8.7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Nitrate*
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 1.88 ppm
Legal Limit: 10 ppm
13x
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 13 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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 millionPollution Sources
Agriculture
Runoff & Sprawl
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS)
Potential Effect:

This Utility: 2.21 ppt
No Legal Limit
2,211x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.001 ppt
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS)
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFHpS 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.
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS) was found at 2,211 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.001 ppt for PFHpS was defined by EPA's recommended application of the PFHxS toxicity value published in the Integrated Risk Information System's toxicological review. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing immune 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 2018-2024.
ppt = parts per trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Potential Effect:

This Utility: 89.1 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppt
89,126x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.001 ppt
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
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 89,126 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.001 ppt for perfluorohexane sulfonate was defined by EPA's toxicity value published in the Integrated Risk Information System's toxicological review. This health guideline harm to the developing immune system.
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 trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
Potential Effect:

This Utility: 0.224 ppt
Legal Limit: 10 ppt
37x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.006 ppt
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
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 37 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 6 ppt for perfluorononanoic acid was defined by EPA recommended application of the toxicity value for PFDA published in the Integrated Risk Information System’s toxicological review . This health guideline harm to the immune system and harm to fetal growth and child development.
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 trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Potential Effect:

This Utility: 74.1 ppt
Proposed Legal Limit: 4 ppt
247x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.3 ppt
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
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 247 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Proposed Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppt for PFOS was defined by EPA's final toxicity value from the Office of Water’s Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment. This health guideline protects againat cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.
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 trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 19.2 ppt
Proposed Legal Limit: 4 ppt
213x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.09 ppt
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
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 213 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Proposed Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.09 ppt for PFOA was was defined by EPA's final toxicity value from the Office of Water’s Final Human Health Toxicity Assessment. This health guideline protects againat cardiovascular harm and harm to fetal growth.
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 trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS)
Potential Effect:

This Utility: 21.9 ppt
No Legal Limit
22x
EWG's Health Guideline: 1 ppt
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS)
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.
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS) was found at 22 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for PFPeS was defined by EWG as 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.
Legal Limit
None
Understanding the Data
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2024.
ppt = parts per trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)*
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.28 pCi/L
Legal Limit: 5 pCi/L
5.6x
EWG's Health Guideline: 0.05 pCi/L
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
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 and -228) was found at 5.6 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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.
Understanding the Data
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2023.
pCi/L = picocuries per literPollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 8.96 ppb
Legal Limit: 80 ppb
60x
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 60 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution 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; radiological contaminants detected between 2018 and 2023.
*This water utility buys or otherwise receives some or all of its finished water from Ladd Center Water System. Tap water results marked with an * are from the supplying utility.
† 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.
Barium*

This Utility: 13.0 ppb
Legal Limit: 2,000 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
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

This Utility: 21.6 ppt
No Legal Limit
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
This Utility
National Average
State Average
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 trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)

This Utility: 10.4 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
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
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1,000 ppt for perfluorobutanoic acid was defined by EPA's recommended application of the toxicity value for PFHxA published in the Integrated Risk Information System’s toxicological review. This health guideline protects against 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 2018-2024.
ppt = parts per trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)

This Utility: 9.24 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
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.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1,000 ppt for perfluoroheptanoic acid was defined by EPA's recommended application of the toxicity value for PFHxA published in the Integrated Risk Information System’s toxicological review. This health guideline 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 trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)

This Utility: 23.6 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
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
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1,000 ppt for perfluorohexanoic acid was defined by EPA's toxicity value published in the Integrated Risk Information System's toxicological review. This health guideline protects against 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 2018-2024.
ppt = parts per trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)

This Utility: 27.3 ppt
No Legal Limit
EWG's Health Guideline: 1,000 ppt
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)
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
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1,000 ppt for PFPeA was defined by EPA's recommended application of the toxicity value for PFHxA published in the Integrated Risk Information System’s toxicological review. This health guideline protects against 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 2018-2024.
ppt = parts per trillionPollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Trichloroacetic acid

This Utility: 0.0778 ppb
No Legal Limit
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.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
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 billionPollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
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:
11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic aci, 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA), 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate (4:2 FTS), 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2FTS), 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate (8:2FTS), 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (, Butanoic acid, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoro, Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), Monobromoacetic acid, Monochloroacetic acid, Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Propanoic acid, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluorome
Find A Filter
Utility:
Exeter Job Corps CenterCarbon Filters
FILTERS 14 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+6 others)
Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.
pros
- Lower upfront cost
- Reduced maintenance
cons
- Does not remove all contaminants
Reverse Osmosis
FILTERS 16 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+7 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 | |||
Bromoform | |||
Chloroform | |||
Dibromoacetic acid | |||
Dibromochloromethane | |||
Dichloroacetic acid | |||
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | |||
Nitrate | |||
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS) | |||
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | |||
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | |||
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | |||
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | |||
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS) | |||
Radium, combined (-226 & -228) | |||
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | |||
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | activated carbon | reverse osmosis | ion exchange |
Barium | |||
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | |||
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) | |||
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | |||
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | |||
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | |||
Trichloroacetic acid |
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