Water Quality Reports

Eric Roy, Ph.D.  |  Scientific Founder 
Updated June 25, 2021 to include current data

We've updated our report of Bethesda drinking water to include the most current data. We use data from the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission - the city’s water provider, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we have collected and analyzed. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The custom water filters that we sell in Bethesda are optimized with these issues considered to be "points of emphasis."

Source Of Bethesda Drinking Water

Bethesda tap water is pulled directly from the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers. When the Maryland Department of the Environment did a Source Water Assessments for the Potomac River in 2002 and 2004, they determined that the most likely sources of contaminants in the Potomac watershed include runoff from urban and agricultural land uses, and potential spills from highways and petroleum pipelines. The following problems could also extend to Bethesda's neighboring communities of Rockville, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Garrett Park, and Silver Spring.

Chromium 6 In Bethesda Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a toxic heavy metal that was brought into the public eye for the first time by the Erin Brockovich movie. Unfortunately, despite a few public events, it remains unregulated by the EPA on its own. Both the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers are susceptible to contamination from industry associated with chromium 6. While there's no federal standard for chromium 6 in drinking water, but the State of California has determined at levels about 20 parts per trillion may cause a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Synthetic Organic Pollutants Detected In Bethesda's Drinking Water

The State of Maryland assessed the Potomac River Watershed a little over a decade ago, and found to identify potential sources of contamination. WSSC detected dalapon (an herbicide), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (a plasticzer, endocrine disruptor), testosterone (pharmaceutical horomonel), and 1,4 dioxane (an industrial chemical) in finished water that came from the Potomac supply.

Lead In Bethesda Drinking Water

Unlike chromium 6 and synthetic organic pollutants, which come from source water contamination, lead is introduced into tap water when water comes into contact with older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail, such as the country witnessed most recently in Flint (but also happened in Washington, DC in the early 2000's), lead leaches into the drinking water and reaches toxic levels. Recent sampling for lead in Bethesda found that the 90th percentile concentration for lead was roughly 1 parts per billion. While these concentrations do not trigger a violation of EPA's Lead and Copper Rule, the EPA, CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics all acknowledge that here is no safe level of lead for children.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Bethesda Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. These chemicals are not well regulated by EPA, although they have been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems, and the EPA acknowledges this. The levels of disinfection byproducts in Bethesda drinking water are near (and sometimes over the upper threshold) of allowable limits.

Still Have Questions About Bethesda'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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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Analies Dyjak | Research Analyst

Updated May 28, 2021 to include most recent water quality data

Our Water Nerds analyze data from the City of Stockton to better understand present contaminants in your tap water.We also use data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toxicity studies, scientific and medical literature, as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. The undersink water filters that we build and sell to people who live in Stockton are optimized with all of these things in mind.

Source Of Stockton Drinking Water

California Water uses a combination of local groundwater and water purchased from the Stockton East Water District, which is imported from the New Melones and New Hogan Reservoirs. The City Stockton's water system includes 27 active wells, one well being prepared to go online, 17 booster pumps, and 12 storage tanks.

Arsenic In Stockton Drinking Water

Arsenic is a toxic metal that is known to cause cancer and other health issues. Arsenic contamination originates from the source water itself, and is more prominent in areas (like Stockton) that pull water from groundwater sources. Like other municipalities in the same region, Stockton's drinking water has detectable levels of arsenic in the drinking water, on average 3.6 parts per billion according to the most recent data. Because of this, Stockton made the following public disclosure:

"While your drinking water meets the federal and state standards for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The arsenic standards balance the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects, such as skin damage and circulatory problems." 

We highly recommend that anyone with more than 1 part per billion take steps to remove arsenic from their water, especially if they have children. 

Chromium 6 In Stockton Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a toxic metal that is not regulated by the EPA, despite being a common discharge from steel processing plants, tanneries, and metal plating facilities. In recent years, tap and drinking water in Stockton has averaged 790 parts per trillion for Chromium 6. For the sake of perspective, these levels are 40 times higher than the concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk by the state of California.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Stockton 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 website discloses that exposure to high levels of disinfection byproducts are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Still Have Questions About Stockton Tap Water Or Water Quality In General?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize whole house water purifiers 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 Stockton, but our filters provide broad protection against a wide range of contaminants found in Stockton's tap water, including lead, VOCs, and pesticides.

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Kezia Snipe  |  Research Analyst  

Updated June 25, 2021 to include updated data

For Hydroviv’s assessment of Fort Worth's drinking water, we aggregated water quality test data from City of Fort Worth Water Department, 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 delve into upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we offer our users in Forth Worth are optimized with these figures in mind.

Source Of Fort Worth Drinking Water

Fort Worth uses surface water from Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Bridgeport, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Cedar Creek Lake, Lake Benbrook and the Clear Fork Trinity River. Fort Worth owns Lake Worth.

Arsenic In Fort Worth Drinking Water

Arsenic is a toxic metal that is known to cause cancer and other health issues. Unlike lead, which leaches into water from plumbing, arsenic comes from the source water itself. Fort Worth's water quality is in compliance with the EPA’s loose water quality standards but it is very important to point out that EPA’s standard balances the toxicity against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water at the municipal level. The most recent Fort Worth water quality report reported an arsenic concentration up to 1.5 parts per billion for the city. Hydroviv recommends that anyone with more than 1 part per billion take steps to remove arsenic from their water, especially if children are in the home. 

Lead In Fort Worth Drinking Water

Lead enters 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 Ft. Worth water samples analyzed for lead revealed concentrations of 7.7 parts per billion. Though Fort Worth's water quality is 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.

Chromium 6 In Fort Worth Drinking Water

Chromium 6 (also known as hexavalent chromium) is a highly toxic metal that is not regulated by the EPA. In recent years, Fort Worth’s drinking water has averaged 54 parts per trillion for Chromium 6. For a bit of perspective, these levels are 2.7 times higher than the concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk. 

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Fort Worth 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 website discusses the association between high levels of disinfection byproducts and an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Chloramine Used To Disinfect Fort Worth Drinking Water

While most cities use chlorine as the primary disinfectant, Ft. Worth's water is disinfected with chloramine (produced by mixing chlorine and ammonia). Chloramine is primarily responsible for what many customers report as the “bad taste” of tap water, and unlike chlorine does not dissipate if a container of water is left in the refrigerator overnight. Most one-size-fits-all water filters use filtration media that doesn’t do a great job removing chloramine, but the filters that we design and build at Hydroviv for Fort Worth uses special filtration media that is purposefully designed to remove chloramine as well.

Still Have Questions About Fort Worth Tap 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 Fort Worth, but our filters provide broad protection against a wide range of contaminants.

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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
Updated June 11, 2021 to include current data

For our assessment of Pittsburgh's water quality, our Water Nerds aggregated water quality test data from the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. Our team then cross references these data with toxicity studies in scientific and medical literature. The water filters that we sell in Pittsburgh are optimized with these issues in mind.

Source Of Pittsburgh Drinking Water

Pittsburgh tap water originates from surface water. Water is drawn from the Allegheny River before being treated at various treatment facilities. Pittsburgh Water typically treats and distributes 70 million gallons of water every day. 

Lead In Pittsburgh Drinking Water

Pittsburgh has a problem with lead in drinking water. Lead enters into home tap water through old lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail (such as the recent crisis in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into drinking water, and can reach toxic levels. Recent analysis for lead in Pittsburgh found a 90th percentile concentration of 5.13 parts per billion. In addition, 2 of the 158 samples exceeded the Federal Action Level of 15 parts per billion.

It should be noted that Pittsburgh is still in compliance with federal regulations, because “an action level exceedance is not a violation”. 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. Check out this 2016 article for more information on lead contamination in the Pittsburgh water supply.

Chromium 6 In Pittsburgh Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal that is not currently regulated by the EPA. Pittsburgh’s tap water has recently averaged 535 parts per trillion for chromium 6. For a bit of context, these levels are over 28 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Pittsburgh Drinking Water

DBPs are a type of halogenated emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants are added to the water supply, and subsequently combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. These chemicals are not yet well-regulated, but the EPA has stated that they have been linked to increased risk of bladder cancer, and kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. EPA regulates two types of DBPs: Total Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids 5). Pittsburgh’s tap water has recently had moderately high levels of DBPs, and the highest concentration of Trihalomethanes was 70 parts per billion,.

Use Of Chloramine In Pittsburgh Tap Water

While most cities use chlorine as the primary disinfectant, Pittsburgh’s water is disinfected with chloramine (which is formed by mixing chlorine and ammonia). Chloramine is the primary culprit for what many customers report as the “bad taste”of tap water, and unlike chlorine will not dissipate if left in the fridge overnight. Most one-size-fits-all water filters use filtration media that successfully removing chloramine, but the filters that Hydroviv builds for Pittsburgh's water problems use special filtration media that are designed to remove chloramine as well.

Still Have Questions About Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh tap water, but all of our home filtration water systems 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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

Source Of St. Paul's Drinking Water

The city of St. Paul's water comes from both surface and groundwater sources. Much of the water comes from the Mississippi River, but prior to treatment is run through a chain of lakes in the suburbs north of downtown St. Paul. Additional water as needed comes from 10 wells that pump from the deep Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer.

Lead In St. Paul Drinking Water

Lead enters the city of St. Paul's water through aged lead service pipes and through lead plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail, such as recently seen in Flint, Michigan, lead leaches into the drinking water, and reaches toxic levels. Recent analysis for lead in St. Paul found 90% of sampled concentrations below 9.8 parts per billion. In addition, 3 of the 50 sites sampled exceeded the set Action Level of 15 ppb. The city of St. Paul's water quality is technically in compliance with federal regulations with no further actions required (since no more than 10% of samples exceeded the Action Level). However, both the EPA and CDC have recognized that there is no such thing as safe levels of lead. In addition, federal regulations can of course not account for levels measured at an individual’s tap.

Chromium 6 In St. Paul Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a toxic metal that is not regulated by the EPA. St. Paul’s tap water has recently averaged 170 parts per trillion for chromium 6. Despite the lack of regulation, these levels are over 8 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In St. Paul Drinking Water

DBPs are emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants, added to the water supply to keep it ‘safe,’ then combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. These chemicals, while not regulated thoroughly, have been linked by the EPA to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. St. Paul’s tap water has recently had moderate levels of DBPs, with a 2016 average of 89 parts per billion (more of which comes from trihalomethanes than from haloacetic acids).

Use Of Chloramine In St. Paul Tap Water

The City of St. Paul adds chloramine to its drinking water to protect consumers against waterborne illness. Free chlorine is in contact with the water for a period of time; then ammonia is added to react with the chlorine. This combined chlorine/ammonia compound is called chloramine. Chloramine is more stable than free chlorine, and allows for disinfectant to remain in the water throughout the water distribution system. Chloramine is also less likely to form unwanted disinfection by-products. While chloramine is not considered detrimental to health, people often find that removing it from their drinking water greatly improves the overall taste and odor. However, not all filters that remove chlorine are able to also remove chloramine. Hydroviv is able to specifically formulate filters to remove chloramine from drinking water.

Still Have Questions About St. Paul 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 St. Paul's 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 St. Paul's 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 St. Paul Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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