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What can be in tap water.

Each contaminant with both of its yardsticks: the legal limit a utility must meet and the health goal EPA sets with a margin of safety. Then where it gets in, and the certification claim that handles it.

PFAS

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
PFOA4.0 pptZeroComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 53PFOA Reduction
PFOS4.0 pptZeroComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 53PFOS Reduction
PFHxS10 ppt10 pptComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 53Total PFAS Reduction
PFNA10 ppt10 pptComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 53Total PFAS Reduction
HFPO-DA (GenX)10 ppt10 pptComes from the sourceNo claim exists
PFBSNone (benchmark 2,000 ppt)—Comes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 53Total PFAS Reduction
Other PFAS monitored in UCMR 5None—Comes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 53Total PFAS Reduction

Metals

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
Lead15 ppb action levelZeroComes from pipes, often your ownNSF/ANSI 53Lead Reduction
Copper1.3 ppm action level1.3 ppmComes from pipes, often your ownNSF/ANSI 53Copper Reduction
LithiumNone (benchmark 10 ppb)—Comes from the sourceNo claim exists
Arsenic10 ppbZeroComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 58Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
Chromium (total)100 ppb100 ppbComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 58Chromium (Hexavalent) Reduction
ManganeseNone (benchmark 300 ppb)—Comes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 42Manganese
IronNone (benchmark 0.3 ppm)—Comes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 42Iron

Other minerals

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
Fluoride4.0 ppm4.0 ppmForms or is added in treatmentNSF/ANSI 58Fluoride Reduction

Nutrients

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
Nitrate10 ppm10 ppmComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 58Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction

Disinfectants

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
Chlorine4.0 ppm4.0 ppmForms or is added in treatmentNSF/ANSI 42Chlorine Reduction
Chloramine4.0 ppm4.0 ppmForms or is added in treatmentNSF/ANSI 42Chloramine Reduction

Disinfection byproducts

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)80 ppb—Forms or is added in treatmentNSF/ANSI 53Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)60 ppb—Forms or is added in treatmentNo claim exists

Radioactive elements

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
Uranium30 ppbZeroComes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 58Uranium

Taste, odor and hardness

ContaminantLegal limitHealth goalWhere it gets inCertification that handles it
HardnessNone—Comes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 44Hardness Reduction
Hydrogen sulfideNone—Comes from the sourceNSF/ANSI 42Hydrogen Sulfide