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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

Status: National drinking water standard exists

 

2(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propionic acid (2,4,5-TP or Silvex) is a cancer-causing herbicide banned in the U.S. in 1985 because of its toxicity. It is still detected as a groundwater contaminant in areas where it was sprayed or stored.

2017-2019:

FOUND
FOUND ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES

8

states detected

31

utilities detected

994,000

people served

0

states over health guideline

0

utilities over health guideline

0

people served over health guideline

Health concerns for 2,4,5-TP

Cancer

Harm to the liver

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 3 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 3 ppb for 2,4,5-TP 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 harm to internal organs.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 50 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

States reporting 2,4,5-TP in drinking water

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State UtilitiesPeople Served
Nebraska8560,055
Florida15381,576
Georgia331,715
Nevada18,800
Alabama15,802
Iowa13,785
West Virginia11,550
Illinois1816
MORE
LESS

Filtering technologies that reduce 2,4,5-TP

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Utilities with the highest amounts of 2,4,5-TP, 2017-2019

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
FarmersvilleFarmersville, IL1 of 90.756 ppb816
Butts County/Jackson/Jenkinsburg WS*Jackson, GA1 of 40.445 ppb22,500
St. Lucie Mobile VillageIndiantown, FL1 of 20.1000 ppb750
Florida Pines Mobile Home ParkVenice, FL1 of 20.0800 ppb280
Washington Terrace LlcBellevue, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb223
Martinview Mobile Home ParkBellevue, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb378
Nebe Green Acres Mobile Home ParkBellevue, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb870
Meadowbrook Estates Water SystemOmaha, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb675
Maplewood EstatesOmaha, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb805
Washington County Rural Water 1*Omaha, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb1,713
Metropolitan Utilities District*Omaha, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb554,091
Carter Lake Water District*Carter Lake, IA1 of 180.0600 ppb3,785
Frostproof, City ofFrostproof, FL2 of 120.0533 ppb3,550
Dauphin Island Water & SewerTheodore, AL1 of 90.0511 ppb5,802
Woods Hoa, TheMartinsburg, WV1 of 30.0490 ppb1,550
City of Fort MeadeFort Meade, FL1 of 50.0400 ppb5,455
Mulberry, City ofMulberry, FL2 of 90.0356 ppb3,780
Sunrise SouthwestFort Lauderdale, FL1 of 50.0320 ppb9,457
Fern Crest Utilities Inc.Ft Lauderdale, FL1 of 70.0229 ppb3,123
City of Port St. JoePort St. Joe, FL1 of 50.0200 ppb13,836
Toho Water Authority - Poinciana SystemKissimmee, FL1 of 90.0178 ppb69,447
Big Bend Water DistrictLas Vegas, NV1 of 140.0143 ppb8,800
Miramar (East & West) PlantsMiramar, FL1 of 160.01000 ppb127,700
Mobile Manor Mobile Home ParkN. Fort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb482
Tamiami Village Mobile Home ParkN. Fort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb1,200
Pine Lakes Mobile Home ParkN. Fort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb1,220
Old Bridge Village Mobile Home ParkNorth Fort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb1,000
Town of Fort Myers Beach (beach Water)Fort Myers Beach, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb6,900
Gateway Services DistrictFort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb12,717
Lee County Utilities*Fort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb251,502

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

MORE
LESS
UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Butts County/Jackson/Jenkinsburg WS*Jackson, GA1 of 40.445 ppb22,500
Metropolitan Utilities District*Omaha, NE1 of 180.0600 ppb554,091
City of Port St. JoePort St. Joe, FL1 of 50.0200 ppb13,836
Toho Water Authority - Poinciana SystemKissimmee, FL1 of 90.0178 ppb69,447
Miramar (East & West) PlantsMiramar, FL1 of 160.01000 ppb127,700
Lee County Utilities*Fort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb251,502
Gateway Services DistrictFort Myers, FL1 of 250.00236 ppb12,717

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.