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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Phenanthrene

Status: No national drinking water standard exists

 

Phenanthrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

2017-2019:

FOUND

3

states detected

9

utilities detected

76,347

people served

Health concerns for phenanthrene

Cancer

Harm to the immune system

Harm to fetal growth and child development

Harm to the central nervous system

States reporting phenanthrene in drinking water

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State UtilitiesPeople Served
Rhode Island467,053
Texas45,310
Delaware13,984
MORE
LESS

Filtering technologies that reduce phenanthrene

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Utilities with the highest amounts of phenanthrene, 2017-2019

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Oakland Village Mobile Home CommunityHouston, TX1 of 10.110 ppb150
Rector WaterworksRector, AR2 of 140.0914 ppb1,977
Sawmill AdditionVidor, TX1 of 20.0550 ppb60
Roving Meadows Water SystemHouston, TX1 of 40.0500 ppb141
Carriage Trail SubdivisionAustin, TX1 of 20.0500 ppb96
City of HearneHearne, TX1 of 140.0479 ppb4,959
Windermere CommunityPflugerville, TX1 of 180.0344 ppb20,091
Naval Station, NewportNewport, RI5 of 1160.0216 ppb7,871
City of Newport*Newport, RI5 of 1160.0216 ppb42,000
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI5 of 1160.0216 ppb16,864
United States Navy -fort AdamsNewport, RI5 of 1160.0216 ppb318
Laurel Water DepartmentLaurel, DE1 of 30.0157 ppb3,984
Incline Village GidIncline Village, NV1 of 40.0123 ppb9,313
Mineral SpringsMineral Springs, AR1 of 80.01000 ppb1,208
Harris County MUD 53Houston, TX2 of 270.00889 ppb16,164
NJ Water Supply Authority Manasquan*Allenwood, NJ1 of 30.00667 ppb30
439 Water Supply CorporationBelton, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb7,521
US Army South Fort HoodFort Hood, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb35,669
Bell County Water Control and Improvement District 3Nolanville, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb4,259
City of Copperas Cove*Copperas Cove, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb33,919
City of Harker HeightsHarker Heights, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb30,365
Bell County Water Control and Improvement District 1*Killeen, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb264
City of KilleenKilleen, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb140,806
City of BeltonBelton, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb21,214
City of League CityLeague City, TX1 of 270.00407 ppb104,857

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

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Windermere CommunityPflugerville, TX1 of 180.0344 ppb20,091
City of Newport*Newport, RI5 of 1160.0216 ppb42,000
Portsmouth Water & Fire DistrictPortsmouth, RI5 of 1160.0216 ppb16,864
Harris County MUD 53Houston, TX2 of 270.00889 ppb16,164
City of BeltonBelton, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb21,214
City of KilleenKilleen, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb140,806
City of Harker HeightsHarker Heights, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb30,365
US Army South Fort HoodFort Hood, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb35,669
City of Copperas Cove*Copperas Cove, TX1 of 160.00625 ppb33,919
City of League CityLeague City, TX1 of 270.00407 ppb104,857

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