Kezia Snipe  |  Hydroviv Research Analyst

For Hydroviv’s assessment of Milwaukee's tap and drinking water quality, we aggregated water quality test data from Milwaukee Water Works, the city’s water provider and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we build for our neighbors in Milwaukee (Hydroviv is a DC-based company) are optimized with this research in mind.

Source Of Milwaukee's Drinking Water

Milwaukee draws it's raw and drinking water from Lake Michigan.

High Levels Of Lead In Milwaukee Drinking Water

Lead enters Milwaukee's drinking and tap water through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures put in place by the municipality fail (like what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and can reach dangerous levels. Currently, 10% of samples analyzed for lead in Milwaukee are over 8.2 parts per billion. Though Milwaukee's drinking water quality is currently in compliance with federal regulations, EPA and CDC both acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead, and federal regulations do not take into account levels measured at an individual tap. Homes built before 1986 are most susceptible to lead contamination. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that any taps used to serve children have lead levels no higher than 1 part per billion.

High Levels Of Chromium 6 In Milwaukee Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a hazardous metal not fully regulated by the EPA. Milwaukee’s tap and drinking water recently averaged 220 parts per trillion for chromium 6. These levels are nearly 11 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Milwaukee Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Although these chemicals are not currently regulated very well, the EPA has admitted that they are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Still Have Questions About Milwaukee Drinking Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each customer's water. The contaminants that we list above are what we consider to be major “points of emphasis” that we use to build water filters that are built specifically for Milwaukee, but all of our our filters provide broad protection against a wide range of contaminants (including lead).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Milwaukee tap water, or just have questions about water quality in general, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook. We pride ourselves in being a reputable source of information on water quality, and your questions will be answered by scientists, not salespeople (we don't have any salespeople).

Please Share This Milwaukee Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

Emma Schultz, M.S. | Scientific Contributor   
**Updated August 6, 2019 to include current data

We've aggregated the most current water quality test data from Riverside Public Utilities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We then cross reference these data with toxicity studies in scientific and medical literature, and supplementary internal data. The water filters that we sell in Riverside are optimized to remove detected contaminants.

Source Of Riverside Drinking Water

Riverside gets its drinking water entirely from groundwater sources. Water is pumped from the Bunker Hill and Riverside groundwater basins and is treated before being distributed to Riverside residents. It should be noted that “these sources are considered most vulnerable to historical contamination from industrial and agricultural operations” (see above link to the 2018 Water Quality Report).

High Levels Of Chromium 6 In Riverside Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal not currently regulated by the EPA. Riverside tap water has recently averaged a substantial 2200 parts per trillion for chromium 6. For reference, these levels are nearly 110 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk. For a bit of context, the state of California tried to set a state Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 20 parts per trillion for chromium 6. After municipalities were unable to comply with the interim MCL, a lawsuit resulted in the withdrawal of the 20 parts per trillion standard. 

Arsenic In Riverside Drinking Water

Arsenic is a cancer-causing toxic heavy metal, that can also lead to other adverse health effects. Arsenic originates in the source water. While Riverside is in compliance with EPA water quality standards, it should be understood that EPA’s standard balances toxicity against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. Riverside’s most recent tap water quality report listed average arsenic concentrations of 1 parts per billion, with a maximum concentration of 2.9 parts per billion. We strongly recommend that tap water with more than 1 part per billion be treated to remove arsenic, particularly if there are children in the home.  

Lead In Riverside Drinking Water

Lead enters Riverside's tap water through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail (such as what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into drinking water, and can reach unsafe levels. EPA, CDC, and American Academy of Pediatrics all acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead for children. In addition, federal regulations cannot take into account levels measured at an individual tap.  

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Riverside Drinking Water

DBPs are halogenated emerging contaminants that occur when chlorine-based disinfectants are added to the water supply and then combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. Although these chemicals are not yet well-regulated, EPA has stated that they have been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Use Of Chlorine In Riverside Tap Water

As is common practice in the United States, Riverside adds chlorine to its water to protect consumers against waterborne illness. While not considered harmful per se, many people find that removing chlorine from their drinking water greatly improves the overall taste and odor. When Riverside's water is filtered, we expect that you will notice an immediate improvement in taste.    

Still Have Questions About Riverside's Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filter for Riverside tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, heavy metals [including lead], pharmaceuticals, solvents, pesticides, mercury).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Riverside tap water, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat.  We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.

Please Share This Riverside Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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Emma Schultz, M.S.  |  Scientific Contributor

For our assessment of Toledo's tap and drinking water quality, we aggregated water quality test data from the City of Toledo, the water provider for Toledo, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we sell in Toledo are optimized with these water quality issues in mind.

Source Of Toledo Drinking Water

Toledo’s tap and drinking water comes from surface water originating in Lake Erie. There is a water intake crib located 2.5 miles offshore in Lake Erie’s Maumee Bay. Water is funneled through a pump station, and is pretreated before traveling several miles to the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant for full treatment.

Toledo made headlines in 2014 for a water crisis that occurred when a phosphorous-fed toxic algae formed on Lake Erie directly over the water intake crib. The toxic algae contained microcystin, which can be deadly to small animals that drink the contaminated water. Humans who consume the water can suffer from gastrointestinal distress and liver problems. The toxicity level was likely exacerbated by a virus in the water that caused algal cells to erupt and release additional toxins. Toledo residents were issued a ‘Do Not Drink’ injunction for three days in August of 2014. Microcystin levels have been monitored since 2014; it was not detected in any of the samples in 2020.

Lead In Toledo Drinking Water

Lead mixes with Toledo's tap and drinking water following contact with older lead service pipes and lead plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail, such as the recent crisis in Flint, Michigan, lead leaches into the drinking water, and can reach toxic levels. Recent analysis for lead in Toledo's tap and drinking water found 90th percentile concentrations of less than 4 parts per billion. While no tested residences were above the Action Level of 15 ppb, and Toledo is in compliance with all federal regulations, federal regulations can not possibly account for levels measured at an individual’s tap, especially when your home plumbing contains lead. In addition, both the EPA and CDC have recognized that there is no such thing as a safe level of lead, and the American Academy of Pediatrics urges taps with more than 1 ppb lead to be remediated immediately.

Chromium 6 In Toledo Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a hazardous metal not yet well regulated by the EPA. In 2016, Toledo’s tap and drinking water quality averaged 220 parts per trillion for chromium 6. Despite the lack of regulation, consumers should know that chromium 6 levels in Toledo's water are nearly 11 times higher than the minimum concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of halogenated emerging contaminants that are produced when chlorine-based disinfectants are added to the water supply, and then combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. These chemicals, while not fully regulated, have been found by the EPA to link to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. Toledo’s tap water has recently had moderate levels of DBPs, with a 2020 average of 62.9 parts per billion average for trihalomethanes (TTHMs), and 20.03 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5).

Use Of Chlorine In Toledo Tap Water

As with much of the United States, Toledo adds chlorine to its water supply to protect consumers against waterborne illness. While not considered overly harmful, many people find that removing chlorine from their drinking water markedly improves the water’s overall taste and odor. When you filter your tap water, we expect you will notice an immediate taste improvement.

Still Have Questions About Toledo's Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filter for Toledo tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, heavy metals [including lead], pharmaceuticals, solvents, pesticides, mercury).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Toledo tap water, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.

Please Share This Toledo Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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