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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Permethrin

Status: No national drinking water standard exists

 

Permethrin is an insecticide used on agricultural crops, but most uses are non-agricultural. It can be applied to residential areas to control mosquitoes and ticks and also used as a bug repellent on clothing, as well as medical applications to treat head lice. Long-term exposure to permethrin may harm the liver.

2018-2021:

FOUND

9

states detected

34

utilities detected

1.6 million

people served

States reporting permethrin in drinking water

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State UtilitiesPeople Served
Texas6686,217
New York3283,028
Florida4186,543
Kentucky5113,550
Alabama10108,858
California163,395
Minnesota263,302
Illinois140,351
Wisconsin223,623
MORE
LESS

Utilities with the highest amounts of permethrin, 2018-2021

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Davis Shores (consec)Windermere, FL3 of 80.0540 ppb143
Orange County Utilities Department (OCUD) - West*Orlando, FL3 of 80.0540 ppb179,771
Ocoee Pines (consec)Ocoee, FL3 of 80.0540 ppb834
High Springs Water Treatment PlantHigh Springs, FL1 of 20.0235 ppb5,795
Ogdensburg CityOgdensburg, NY1 of 40.0205 ppb11,128
Cullman County Water DepartmentCullman, AL1 of 40.0200 ppb49,800
Kellyton Water SystemKellyton, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb2,010
Alexander City Water Department*Alexander City, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb29,565
Dadeville Water Works & Sewage Board*Dadeville, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb3,744
Jacksons Gap Water AuthorityJacksons Gap, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb5,700
Ray Community Water & Fire Pro AuthorityAlexander City, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb1,296
Walnut Hill Water Authority*Dadeville, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb11,304
Hackneyville Water & Fire Pro AuthorityAlexander City, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb1,155
Goodwater Water Works and Sewer Bd, City of*Goodwater, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb2,640
StreamwoodStreamwood, IL1 of 40.0125 ppb40,351
Paducah Water Works*Paducah, KY1 of 40.0104 ppb64,013
West Mccracken County Water DistrictWest Paducah, KY1 of 40.0104 ppb4,410
Allen County Water District*Scottsville, KY1 of 60.00728 ppb14,999
RamseyRamsey, MN1 of 60.00673 ppb14,252
Western Pulaski County Water DistrictSomerset, KY2 of 160.00573 ppb23,264
EdinaEdina, MN1 of 80.00520 ppb49,050
Wind Point Water DepartmentRacine, WI1 of 80.00500 ppb1,804
Village of Caledonia Water Utility*Caledonia, WI1 of 80.00500 ppb21,819
El Paso Water Utilities*El Paso, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb672,538
Gaslight Square Mobile Home ParkCanutillo, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb675
Haciendas Del Norte Water Improvement DiEl Paso, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb1,074
San Isidro Mobile Home ParkEl Paso, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb72
Lower Valley Water DistrictClint, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb53,865
East Montana Water SystemEl Paso, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb6,513
Paseo Del Este Municipal Utility District 1Pflugerville, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb5,345
East Biggs Water SystemSan Dimas, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb15,000
City of LodiLodi, CA1 of 450.000889 ppb63,395
United Water New York*West Nyack, NY1 of 660.000727 ppb270,950
Hillburn VillageHillburn, NY1 of 660.000727 ppb950

* 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 Permethrin, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Orange County Utilities Department (OCUD) - West*Orlando, FL3 of 80.0540 ppb179,771
Ogdensburg CityOgdensburg, NY1 of 40.0205 ppb11,128
Cullman County Water DepartmentCullman, AL1 of 40.0200 ppb49,800
Alexander City Water Department*Alexander City, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb29,565
Walnut Hill Water Authority*Dadeville, AL1 of 40.0130 ppb11,304
StreamwoodStreamwood, IL1 of 40.0125 ppb40,351
Paducah Water Works*Paducah, KY1 of 40.0104 ppb64,013
Allen County Water District*Scottsville, KY1 of 60.00728 ppb14,999
RamseyRamsey, MN1 of 60.00673 ppb14,252
Western Pulaski County Water DistrictSomerset, KY2 of 160.00573 ppb23,264
EdinaEdina, MN1 of 80.00520 ppb49,050
Village of Caledonia Water Utility*Caledonia, WI1 of 80.00500 ppb21,819
El Paso Water Utilities*El Paso, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb672,538
Lower Valley Water DistrictClint, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb53,865
East Biggs Water SystemSan Dimas, TX1 of 390.00169 ppb15,000
City of LodiLodi, CA1 of 450.000889 ppb63,395
United Water New York*West Nyack, NY1 of 660.000727 ppb270,950

* 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 Permethrin, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.