Emma Schultz M.S.  |  Scientific Contributor

Updated June 11, 2021 to include most recent data

For our Anchorage water quality assessment, we aggregated water quality test data from the Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility, the water provider for Anchorage, 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 Anchorage are optimized with these issues in mind.

Source Of Anchorage Drinking Water

Anchorage tap water comes from both ground and surface waters. Eklutna Lake, which is surrounded by the snowfields and glaciers of Chugach State Park, accounts for approximately 84% of the water that Anchorage customers receive. Supplementary surface water comes from Ship Creek, much of which is also in Chugach State Park. Ancillary groundwater (12% of the supply in 2016) comes from ten wells in Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River, which pump from aquifers that are also recharged by the runoff and snowmelt from the Chugach Mountains.

Lead In Anchorage Drinking Water

Lead enters into a customer’s tap water through lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail (such as recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and reaches toxic levels. Recent analysis for lead in Anchorage found a 90th percentile concentration of less than 1 part per billion. Of the 45 sites sampled, no sites exceeded the set Action Level of 15 ppb. While Anchorage's tap water is in compliance with all federal regulations, both the EPA and CDC acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead. In addition, federal regulations cannot possibly account for levels measured at an individual tap.

Chromium 6 In Anchorage Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal not currently regulated by the EPA. Anchorage tap water has recently averaged a substantial 580 parts per trillion for chromium 6. These levels are 28 times higher than the minimum concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Anchorage Drinking Water

DBPs are emerging contaminants that are formed when chlorine-based disinfectants are added to the water supply, and later combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. These chemicals are not well-regulated, but the EPA has stated that they are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. Anchorage tap water has levels of DBPs with a 2020 average of 16.1 parts per billion (more of which comes from trihalomethanes than from haloacetic acids).

Use Of Chlorine In Anchorage Tap Water

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

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

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Eric Roy, Ph.D.  |  Scientific Founder 

Since a local news story broke about high levels of chromium 6 (also known as hexavalent chromium) in Houston's tap water (which serves about 2.2 million people), we've been getting a lot of questions about chromium 6. The goal of this Houston water contamination article is to speak to the science, comment on the current federal regulations, and to give Houston residents practical advice on how to reduce their exposure to Chromium 6.

Why Should I Care About Chromium 6 In Drinking Water?

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic form of chromium that is known to cause cancer in humans. It contaminates drinking water supplies through wastewater discharge from industries including: steel production, leather tanning, textile manufacturing, wood preservation, and electroplating. In more popular culture, it was the chemical made famous by Erin Brockovich, whose story was made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. To be clear, chromium 6 is NOT the same thing as chromium 3 (also known as trivalent chromium)

How High Are Chromium 6 Levels In Houston's Tap Water?

Houston's tap water chromium 6 levels are very high, 3rd highest of major US cities, behind only Phoenix and St. Louis. The 3 year average for Houston's drinking water supply is just under 750 parts per trillion, peaking at 6500 parts per trillion. To put it in perspective, these levels are roughly 35-300 times higher than the 20 part per trillion concentration established using criteria widely cited by scientists and doctors for negligible risk.

Is Houston In Violation Of Federal Regulations?

Even though it is a known carcinogen, the US EPA does not currently regulate chromium 6. Instead, EPA lumps highly toxic chromium 6 into the same category as chromium 3 (a form of chromium that is an essential dietary nutrient). Because chromium 6 is unregulated, water contaminated with high levels is considered "compliant" with federal regulations. This is absurd.

Are These High Levels Due To A Recent Temporary Spike In Chromium 6?

No. The local and nationwide stories are shining a light on a longstanding and ignored problem.

How Can Houston Residents Reduce Their Exposure To Chromium 6?

The only way to remove the chromium 6 from Houston's drinking water is to filter it out with a water filter that is designed to remove chromium 6 or reverse osmosis. Boiling or freezing water does not remove chromium 6.

As always, we encourage people to take advantage of our "Help No Matter What" approach to technical support. Our water quality experts will help you solve your problem, even if you have no intention of buying a Hydroviv Water Filter for your home.

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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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