Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants _ Your Drinking Water _ US EPA
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8/17/2019 Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants _ Your Drinking Water _ US EPA
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Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants
Related Info
Regulation Development for Drinking Water Contaminants
Code of Federal Regulations: Title 40 - Protection of the Environment(full publication)
The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs or primary
standar ds) are legally enforceable standards that apply to public water systems.Primar y standards protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants indrinking water. Visit the list below of regulated contaminants for details.
On this page:
MicroorganismsDisinfectantsDisinfection ByproductsInorganic ChemicalsOrganic Chemicals
Radionuclides
Microorganisms
Contaminant MCLG1
(mg/L)2
MCL
or TT1
(mg/L)2
Potential Health Eff ects fromLong-Term Exposure Above
the MCL (unless specified asshort-term)
Sources of Contaminant
in DrinkingWater
Cryptosporidium zero TT3 Gastrointestinal illness (such as
diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Human andanimal fecal
waste
Giardia lamblia zero TT3 Gastrointestinal illness (such as
diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Human andanimal fecalwaste
Heterotrophic
HPC has no health effects; it isan analytic method used tomeasure the variety of bacteria
HPCmeasures arange of
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plate count(HPC)
n/a TT that are common in water. Thelower the concentration of
bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is.
bacteria thatare naturally
present in theenvironment
Legionella zero TT3 Legionnaire's Disease, a type of
pneumonia
Found
naturally inwater;multiplies inheatingsystems
Total Coliforms(including fecalcoliform and E.Coli)
zero 5.0%4 Not a health threat in itself; it isused to indicate whether other
potentially harmful bacteria
may be present5
Coliforms arenaturally
present in theenvironment;
as well asfeces; fecalcoliforms and
E. coli onlycome fromhuman andanimal fecalwaste.
Turbidity n/a TT3
Turbidity is a measure of the
cloudiness of water. It is used toindicate water quality andfiltration effectiveness (such aswhether disease-causingorganisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are oftenassociated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganismssuch as viruses, parasites andsome bacteria. These organisms
can cause symptoms such asnausea, cramps, diarrhea, andassociated headaches.
Soil runoff
Viruses (enteric) zero TT3 Gastrointestinal illness (such as
diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Human andanimal fecalwaste
Disinfection Byproducts
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Contaminant MCLG1
(mg/L)2
or
TT1
(mg/L)2
from Long-Term ExposureAbove the MCL (unlessspecified as short-term)
Contaminantin DrinkingWater
Bromate zero 0.010 Increased risk of cancer
Byproduct of drinkingwater disinfection
Chlorite 0.8 1.0Anemia; infants and youngchildren: nervous systemeffects
Byproduct of drinkingwater disinfection
Haloacetic acids(HAA5) n/a
6 0.060 Increased risk of cancer
Byproduct of drinkingwater disinfection
TotalTrihalomethanes(TTHMs)
--> n/a6 ========-->--> 0.080
Liver, kidney or centralnervous system problems;increased risk of cancer
Byproduct of drinkingwater disinfection
Disinfectants
ContaminantMCLG1
(mg/L)2
MCL or
TT1
(mg/L)2
Potential Health Effectsfrom Long-TermExposure Above theMCL (unless specified
as short-term)
Sources of Contaminantin DrinkingWater
Chloramines(as Cl2)
MRDLG=41 MRDL=4.01Eye/nose irritation;stomach discomfort,anemia
Water additive usedto controlmicrobes
Chlorine (asCl2)
MRDLG=41 MRDL=4.01Eye/nose irritation;stomach discomfort
Water additive usedto controlmicrobes
Chlorine
dioxide (asClO2)
MRDLG=0.81 MRDL=0.81
Anemia; infants andyoung children: nervoussystem effects
Water additive usedto control
microbes
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Inorganic Chemicals
ContaminantMCLG1
(mg/L)2
MCL or
TT1
(mg/L)2
Potential HealthEffects from Long-Term Exposure Abovethe MCL (unlessspecified as short-
term)
Sources of Contaminant inDrinking Water
Antimony 0.006 0.006Increase in bloodcholesterol; decrease in
blood sugar
Discharge from petroleum refineries;fire retardants;ceramics;electronics; solder
Arsenic 0 0.010 as of
01/23/06
Skin damage or
problems withcirculatory systems,and may haveincreased risk of getting cancer
Erosion of natural
deposits; runoff fromorchards, runoff fromglass andelectronicsproductionwastes
Asbestos(fiber > 10micrometers)
7millionfibers
per liter (MFL)
7 MFLIncreased risk of developing benignintestinal polyps
Decay of asbestoscement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits
Barium 2 2 Increase in blood
pressure
Discharge of drillingwastes; dischargefrom metalrefineries; erosion of natural deposits
Beryllium 0.004 0.004 Intestinal lesions
Discharge frommetal refineries and
coal-burningfactories; dischargefrom electrical,aerospace, anddefense industries
Corrosion of galvanized pipes;
erosion of natural
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a m um . . ney amage deposits; discharge
from metalrefineries; runoff from waste batteriesand paints
Chromium(total)
0.1 0.1 Allergic dermatitis
Discharge from steel
and pulp mills;erosion of naturaldeposits
Copper 1.3 TT7; Action
Level=1.3
Short term exposure:Gastrointestinaldistress
Long term exposure:Liver or kidney
damage
People with Wilson'sDisease should consulttheir personal doctor if the amount of copper intheir water exceeds theaction level
Corrosion of
household plumbingsystems; erosion of natural deposits
Cyanide (asfree cyanide)
0.2 0.2 Nerve damage or
thyroid problems
Discharge from
steel/metal factories;discharge from
plastic and fertilizer factories
Fluoride 4.0 4.0
Bone disease (pain andtenderness of the
bones); Children may
get mottled teeth
Water additive which promotes strongteeth; erosion of natural deposits;discharge fromfertilizer andaluminum factories
Lead zero TT7; Action
Infants and children:Delays in physical or mental development;children could show
slight deficits inattention span and
Corrosion of household plumbing
s stems erosion of
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eve = .
Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure
natural deposits
Mercury(inorganic)
0.002 0.002 Kidney damage
Erosion of naturaldeposits; dischargefrom refineries andfactories; runoff fromlandfills andcroplands
Nitrate(measured as
Nitrogen)10 10
Infants below the ageof six months whodrink water containing
nitrate in excess of theMCL could becomeseriously ill and, if untreated, may die.Symptoms includeshortness of breath and
blue-baby syndrome.
Runoff from
fertilizer use; leakingfrom septic tanks,sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Nitrite(measured as
Nitrogen)1 1
Infants below the ageof six months who
drink water containingnitrite in excess of theMCL could becomeseriously ill and, if untreated, may die.Symptoms includeshortness of breath and
blue-baby syndrome.
Runoff fromfertilizer use; leakingfrom septic tanks,sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Selenium 0.05 0.05Hair or fingernail loss;numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory
problems
Discharge from
petroleum refineries;erosion of naturaldeposits; dischargefrom mines
Thallium 0.0005 0.002 Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney,
intestine or liver
Leaching from ore- processing sites;
dischar e from
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problems
electronics, glass,and drug factories
Organic Chemicals
Contaminant MCLG1
(mg/L)2
MCL orTT1
(mg/L)2
PotentialHealthEffects from
Long-TermExposure
Above theMCL (unlessspecified asshort-term)
Sources of Contaminant in
Drinking Water
Acrylamide zero TT8
Nervoussystem or
blood problems;increased risk of cancer
Added to water duringsewage/wastewater treatment
Alachlor zero 0.002
Eye, liver,kidney or spleen
problems;anemia;increased risk
of cancer
Runoff fromherbicide used onrow crops
Atrazine 0.003 0.003
Cardiovascular system or reproductive
problems
Runoff fromherbicide used onrow crops
Benzene zero 0.005
Anemia;decrease in
blood platelets;increased risk of cancer
Discharge from
factories; leachingfrom gas storagetanks and landfills
Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs) zero 0.0002
Reproductivedifficulties;increased risk of cancer
Leaching fromlinings of water storage tanks anddistribution lines
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Carbofuran 0.04 0.04
Problems with blood, nervoussystem, or reproductivesystem
Leaching of soilfumigant used onrice and alfalfa
Carbon tetrachloride zero 0.005
Liver problems;increased risk of cancer
Discharge fromchemical plantsand other industrial activities
Chlordane zero 0.002
Liver or nervoussystem
problems;
increased risk of cancer
Residue of bannedtermiticide
Chlorobenzene 0.1 0.1Liver or kidney
problems
Discharge fromchemical andagriculturalchemical factories
2,4-D 0.07 0.07
Kidney, liver,
or adrenalgland
problems
Runoff fromherbicide used onrow crops
Dalapon 0.2 0.2 Minor kidney
changes
Runoff fromherbicide used onrights of way
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
zero 0.0002Reproductivedifficulties;increased risk of cancer
Runoff/leaching
from soil fumigantused on soybeans,cotton, pineapples,and orchards
o-Dichlorobenzene 0.6 0.6
Liver, kidney,or circulatorysystem
problems
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
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p-Dichlorobenzene 0.075 0.075
Anemia; liver,kidney or spleendamage;changes in
blood
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
1,2-Dichloroethane zero 0.005 Increased risk
of cancer
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
1,1-Dichloroethylene 0.007 0.007 Liver
problems
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene 0.07 0.07 Liver
problems
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene 0.1 0.1 Liver
problems
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
Dichloromethane zero 0.005
Liver
problems;increased risk of cancer
Discharge fromdrug and chemicalfactories
1,2-Dichloropropane zero 0.005 Increased risk
of cancer
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate 0.4 0.4
Weight loss,
liver problems,or possiblereproductivedifficulties.
Discharge fromchemical factories
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate zero 0.006
Reproductivedifficulties;liver
Discharge fromrubber andchemical factories
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problems;increased risk
of cancer
Dinoseb 0.007 0.007 Reproductive
difficulties
Runoff fromherbicide used onsoybeans and
vegetables
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) zero 0.00000003
Reproductivedifficulties;increased risk of cancer
Emissions fromwaste incinerationand other combustion;discharge fromchemical factories
Diquat 0.02 0.02 Cataracts Runoff fromherbicide use
Endothall 0.1 0.1
Stomach andintestinal
problems
Runoff fromherbicide use
Endrin 0.002 0.002 Liver
problems
Residue of banned
insecticide
Epichlorohydrin zero TT8
Increasedcancer risk,and over along period of time, stomach
problems
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories; animpurity of somewater treatmentchemicals
Ethylbenzene 0.7 0.7 Liver or kidneys problems
Discharge from petroleumrefineries
Ethylene dibromide zero 0.00005
Problems withliver, stomach,reproductivesystem, or
Discharge from petroleumrefineries
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kidneys;increased risk
of cancer
Glyphosate 0.7 0.7
Kidney problems;reproductive
difficulties
Runoff fromherbicide use
Heptachlor zero 0.0004Liver damage;increased risk of cancer
Residue of bannedtermiticide
Heptachlor epoxide zero 0.0002Liver damage;increased risk of cancer
Breakdown of heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene zero 0.001
Liver or kidney
problems;reproductivedifficulties;increased risk of cancer
Discharge frommetal refineriesand agriculturalchemical factories
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene 0.05 0.05
Kidney or stomach
problems Discharge fromchemical factories
Lindane 0.0002 0.0002Liver or kidney
problems
Runoff/leachingfrom insecticideused on cattle,
lumber, gardens
Methoxychlor 0.04 0.04 Reproductive
difficulties
Runoff/leachingfrom insecticideused on fruits,vegetables, alfalfa,livestock
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Oxamyl (Vydate) 0.2 0.2 Slight nervoussystem effects
Runoff/leachingfrom insecticideused on apples,
potatoes, andtomatoes
Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)
zero 0.0005
Skin changes;
thymus gland problems;immunedeficiencies;reproductiveor nervoussystemdifficulties;increased risk of cancer
Runoff fromlandfills; dischargeof waste chemicals
Pentachlorophenol zero 0.001
Liver or kidney
problems;increasedcancer risk
Discharge fromwood preservingfactories
Picloram 0.5 0.5 Liver
problems Herbicide runoff
Simazine 0.004 0.004 Problems with
blood Herbicide runoff
Styrene 0.1 0.1
Liver, kidney,or circulatorysystem
problems
Discharge fromrubber and plasticfactories; leachingfrom landfills
Tetrachloroethylene zero 0.005
Liver problems;increased risk of cancer
Discharge fromfactories and drycleaners
Toluene 1 1
Nervoussystem,
kidne , or
Discharge from
etroleum factories
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liver problems
Toxaphene zero 0.003
Kidney, liver,or thyroid
problems;increased risk of cancer
Runoff/leachingfrom insecticideused on cotton andcattle
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 0.05 0.05 Liver
problemsResidue of bannedherbicide
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 0.07 0.07 Changes in
adrenal glands
Discharge fromtextile finishingfactories
1,1,1-Trichloroethane 0.20 0.2
Liver, nervoussystem, or circulatory
problems
Discharge frommetal degreasingsites and other factories
1,1,2-Trichloroethane 0.003 0.005
Liver, kidney,or immunesystem
problems
Discharge fromindustrial chemicalfactories
Trichloroethylene zero 0.005
Liver problems;increased risk of cancer
Discharge frommetal degreasingsites and other factories
Vinyl chloride zero 0.002 Increased risk
of cancer
Leaching fromPVC pipes;discharge from
plastic factories
Xylenes (total) 10 10 Nervoussystemdamage
Discharge from petroleumfactories;discharge fromchemical factories
Radionuclides
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ContaminantMCLG1
(mg/L)2
MCL or
TT1
(mg/L)2
Effects from Long-Term ExposureAbove the MCL
(unless specified asshort-term)
Sources of Contaminantin Drinking Water
Alpha particles
none7 ----------zero
15 picocuries per Liter (pCi/L)
Increased risk of cancer
Erosion of naturaldeposits of certainminerals that areradioactive and may emita form of radiationknown as alpha radiation
Beta particlesand photon
emitters
none7 ----------
zero
4millirems
per year
Increased risk of cancer
Decay of natural andman-made deposits of
certain minerals that areradioactive and may emitforms of radiation knownas photons and betaradiation
Radium 226and Radium228(combined)
none7 ----------zero
5 pCi/L Increased risk of
cancer Erosion of naturaldeposits
Uranium zero
30 ug/L
as of 12/08/03
Increased risk of
cancer, kidneytoxicity
Erosion of natural
deposits
Notes
1Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminantin drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public healthgoals.Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminantthat is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs asfeasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost intoconsideration. MCLs are enforceable standards.Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of adrinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants tocontrol microbial contaminants.
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Treatment Technique (TT) - A required process intended to reduce the levelof a contaminant in drinking water.Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The highest level of adisinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence thataddition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbialcontaminants.
2 Units are in milligrams per liter (mg/L) unless otherwise noted. Milligrams per liter are equivalent to parts per million (PPM).
3 EPA's surface water treatment rules require systems using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water to
a. Disinfect their water, and b. Filter their water, or c. Meet criteria for avoiding filtration so that the following contaminants are
controlled at the following levels:
Cryptosporidium: Unfiltered systems are required toinclude Cryptosporidium in their existing watershed control provisions
Giardia lamblia: 99.9% removal/inactivation.
Viruses: 99.99% removal/inactivation.
Legionella: No limit, but EPA believes that if Giardia and viruses areremoved/inactivated, according to the treatment techniques in the SurfaceWater Treatment Rule, Legionella will also be controlled.
Turbidity: For systems that use conventional or direct filtration, at no timecan turbidity (cloudiness of water) go higher than 1 NephelometricTurbidity Unit (NTU), and samples for turbidity must be less than or equalto 0.3 NTUs in at least 95 percent of the samples in any month. Systemsthat use filtration other than the conventional or direct filtration must followstate limits, which must include turbidity at no time exceeding 5 NTUs.
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC): No more than 500 bacterial colonies per milliliter.
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment: Surface water systems or
groundwater under the direct influence (GWUDI) systems serving fewer than 10,000 people must comply with the applicable Long Term 1Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule provisions (such as turbiditystandards, individual filter monitoring, Cryptosporidium removalrequirements, updated watershed control requirements for unfilteredsystems).
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule: This rule applies toall surface water systems or ground water systems under the directinfluence of surface water. The rule targets additionalCryptosporidium treatment requirements for higher risk systems and
8/17/2019 Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants _ Your Drinking Water _ US EPA
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21/4/2016 Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants | Your Drinking Water | US EPA
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includes provisions to reduce risks from uncovered finished water storagefacilities and to ensure that the systems maintain microbial protection asthey take steps to reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts.
Filter Backwash Recycling: This rule requires systems that recycle to returnspecific recycle flows through all processes of the system's existingconventional or direct filtration system or at an alternate location approved
by the state.
4 No more than 5.0% samples total coliform-positive (TC-positive) in a month.(For water systems that collect fewer than 40 routine samples per month, no morethan one sample can be total coliform-positive per month.) Every sample that hastotal coliform must be analyzed for either fecal coliforms or E. coli if twoconsecutive TC-positive samples, and one is also positive for E.coli fecalcoliforms, system has an acute MCL violaton.
5 Fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Disease-causing microbes(pathogens) in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or
other symptoms. These pathogens may pose a special health risk for infants,young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
6 Although there is no collective MCLG for this contaminant group, there areindividual MCLGs for some of the individual contaminants:
Trihalomethanes: bromodichloromethane (zero); bromoform (zero);dibromochloromethane (0.06 mg/L): chloroform (0.07 mg/L.
Haloacetic acids: dichloroacetic acid (zero); trichloroacetic acid(0.02 mg/L); monochloroacetic acid (0.07mg/L). Bromoacetic acid and
dibromoacetic acid are regulated with this group but have no MCLGs.
7 Lead and copper are regulated by a treatment technique that requires systems tocontrol the corrosiveness of their water. If more than 10% of tap water samplesexceed the action level, water systems must take additional steps. For copper, theaction level is 1.3 mg/L, and for lead is 0.015 mg/L.
8 Each water system must certify, in writing, to the state (using third-party or manufacturer's certification) that when acrylamide and epichlorohydrin are usedto treat water, the combination (or product) of dose and monomer level does not
exceed the levels specified, as follows:
Acrylamide = 0.05% dosed at 1 mg/L (or equivalent)
Epichlorohydrin = 0.01% dosed at 20 mg/L (or equivalent)
Last updated on February 18, 2016
8/17/2019 Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants _ Your Drinking Water _ US EPA
17/17
21/4/2016 Table of Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants | Your Drinking Water | US EPA
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