EWG's drinking water quality report showsresults of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well asinformation from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility Details
- Harris County, Texas
- Serves: 6,939
- Data available: 2014-2019
- Source: Purchased groundwater
Contaminants Detected
9
EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES
17 Total Contaminants
- Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
- Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
- The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.
What To Do
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Contaminants Detected
Arsenic*
Potential Effect: cancer769x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.08 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.004 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppb
X
Arsenic
more aboutthis contaminant
Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.
Arsenic was found at 769 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.004 ppb or less
This Utility
3.08 ppb
Legal Limit
10 ppb
National Average
0.647 ppb
State Average
1.03 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Agriculture
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Bromochloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: 8.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.167 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Bromochloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromochloroacetic acid is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromochloroacetic acid and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Bromochloroacetic acid was found at 8.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.02 ppb or less
This Utility
0.167 ppb
National Average
3.16 ppb
State Average
4.18 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for bromochloroacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer26x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.53 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Bromodichloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromodichloromethane was found at 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.06 ppb or less
This Utility
1.53 ppb
National Average
5.79 ppb
State Average
7.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Bromoform
Potential Effect: cancer3.8x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.88 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.5 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Bromoform
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromoform was found at 3.8 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.5 ppb or less
This Utility
1.88 ppb
National Average
1.32 ppb
State Average
3.19 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dibromoacetic acid
Potential Effect: 13x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.533 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.04 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Dibromoacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dibromoacetic acid was found at 13 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.04 ppb or less
This Utility
0.533 ppb
National Average
1.1 ppb
State Average
2.62 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer26x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.63 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Dibromochloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dibromochloromethane was found at 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
2.63 ppb
National Average
3.29 ppb
State Average
5.82 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†
Potential Effect: cancer5.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.533 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb
X
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
more aboutthis contaminant
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 5.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
0.533 ppb
Legal Limit
60 ppb
National Average
17.1 ppb
State Average
14.4 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Potential Effect: cancer8.5x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.43 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.05 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT5 pCi/L
X
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
more aboutthis contaminant
Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations.
Radium, combined (-226 & -228) was found at 8.5 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.05 pCi/L or less
This Utility
0.43 pCi/L
Legal Limit
5 pCi/L
National Average
0.46 pCi/L
State Average
0.55 pCi/L
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2014-2019.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
Health Risks
EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Potential Effect: cancer40x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY6.05 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.15 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT80 ppb
X
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
more aboutthis contaminant
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 40 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.15 ppb or less
This Utility
6.05 ppb
Legal Limit
80 ppb
National Average
29.7 ppb
State Average
27.3 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.
*This water utility buys or otherwise receives some or all of its finished water from Harris County MUD 358. Tap water results marked with an * are from the supplying utility.
† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.
Other Contaminants Tested
✕
Chemicals tested for but not detected from 2014 to 2019:
Chloroform , Combined uranium , Dalapon , Dichloroacetic acid , Monobromoacetic acid , Monochloroacetic acid , Nitrite , Trichloroacetic acid
Harris County Municipal Utility District 354 compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, Harris County Municipal Utility District 354complied with health-based drinking water standards.
Information in this section on Harris County Municipal Utility District 354 comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
Water Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
| CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
| Arsenic | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromoform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dibromoacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Radium, combined (-226 & -228) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
| Barium | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Chromium (total) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Fluoride | ✔ | ||
| Manganese | ✔ | ||
| Nitrate | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nitrate & nitrite | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Selenium | ✔ | ||
Take Action
Contact Your Local Official
One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.
LEARN MORE
Filter Out Contaminants
Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.
EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE
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