Chlorite
Status: National drinking water standard exists
Chlorite is a disinfection byproduct resulting from water treatment with chlorine dioxide. Chlorite decreases hemoglobin levels and causes other hematologic effects. Read More.
Chlorite also forms when chlorine dioxide is used as a bleaching agent for textiles, paper pulp, flour and oils, and from the use of chlorine dioxide in food and packaging.� In 2009, California published a public health goal of 50 parts per billion for chlorite in drinking water. California state scientists reported that chlorite causes red blood cell damage, affects sperm and thyroid function, and may alter behavior and neurodevelopment of rat pups exposed in the womb.
Health concerns for chlorite
Change to blood cells
Change to the thyroid
Hormone disruption
Harm to reproduction and child development
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 50 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 50 ppb for chlorite 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 change in blood chemistry.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 1,000 ppb
ppb = parts per billion
States reporting chlorite in drinking water
UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Utilities | People Served | Utilities | People Served | |||
Texas | 376 | 6,778,838 | 409 | 9,221,471 | |||
Arizona | 10 | 2,497,197 | 10 | 2,497,197 | |||
California | 11 | 1,975,759 | 13 | 2,153,675 | |||
Alabama | 105 | 1,848,243 | 90 | 1,721,580 | |||
Oklahoma | 116 | 1,163,917 | 122 | 1,287,544 | |||
New York | 28 | 1,259,181 | 29 | 1,282,212 | |||
Kentucky | 27 | 1,110,140 | 45 | 1,218,584 | |||
Arkansas | 91 | 1,252,577 | 79 | 1,202,242 | |||
Colorado | 72 | 1,235,220 | 58 | 1,177,613 | |||
Pennsylvania | 21 | 1,191,415 | 17 | 1,150,365 | |||
North Carolina | 44 | 746,196 | 39 | 716,302 | |||
Kansas | 69 | 693,252 | 68 | 697,728 | |||
Virginia | 9 | 423,855 | 13 | 589,093 | |||
Georgia | 18 | 573,347 | 17 | 572,778 | |||
Massachusetts | 12 | 356,162 | 15 | 499,081 | |||
New Jersey | 15 | 488,800 | 15 | 488,800 | |||
Illinois | 110 | 407,226 | 87 | 375,202 | |||
Iowa | 33 | 339,797 | 23 | 332,834 | |||
Connecticut | 11 | 233,264 | 11 | 233,264 | |||
Missouri | 58 | 155,292 | 45 | 149,994 | |||
Ohio | 12 | 101,682 | 11 | 93,382 | |||
West Virginia | 10 | 88,982 | 9 | 88,696 | |||
Washington | 3 | 83,488 | 3 | 83,488 | |||
Rhode Island | 1 | 3,178 | 5 | 70,231 | |||
Nebraska | 6 | 33,448 | 6 | 33,448 | |||
Minnesota | 1 | 20,008 | 1 | 20,008 | |||
New Mexico | 2 | 9,787 | 2 | 9,787 |
Filtering technologies that reduce chlorite
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of chlorite, 2017-2019
Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
---|---|---|---|---|
Townley Water Authority | Townley, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 2,469 |
Sumiton Water Works Board | Sumiton, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 5,970 |
Providence Water Authority | Oakman, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 1,386 |
Parrish Water Works Board | Parrish, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 5,661 |
Oakman Water Works | Oakman, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 3,510 |
Jasper Water Works and Sewer Board* | Jasper, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 28,638 |
Curry Water Authority | Jasper, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 17,613 |
Cordova Water Works & Gas Board* | Cordova, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 3,939 |
Boldo Water & Fire Prot. Authority | Jasper, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 4,440 |
Dora Utilities | Dora, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 4,128 |
Southwest Reg Water District (clarinda)* | Clarinda, IA | 219 of 219 | 762.3 ppb | 2,569 |
Clarinda Water Plant* | Clarinda, IA | 219 of 219 | 762.3 ppb | 4,822 |
Meeker Public Works Authority | Meeker, OK | 88 of 90 | 746.0 ppb | 1,044 |
Shawnee Municipal Authority* | Shawnee, OK | 88 of 90 | 746.0 ppb | 29,990 |
Pottawatomie County Development Authority | Shawnee, OK | 88 of 90 | 746.0 ppb | 1,200 |
San Patricio Municipal Water District* | Ingleside, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 225 |
City of Aransas Pass | Aransas Pass, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 8,393 |
Seaboard Water Supply Corporation | Odem, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 321 |
City of Taft | Taft, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 5,160 |
City of Rockport* | Rockport, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 27,282 |
City of Portland | Portland, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 21,501 |
City of Odem | Odem, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 2,500 |
Rincon Water Supply Corporation | Taft, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 4,605 |
City of Ingleside On The Bay | Ingleside, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 642 |
City of Ingleside | Ingleside, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 9,800 |
City of Gregory | Gregory, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 1,976 |
Maryville* | Maryville, MO | 216 of 216 | 729.4 ppb | 11,972 |
Nodaway County Public Water Supply District 1* | Maryville, MO | 216 of 216 | 729.4 ppb | 6,428 |
Goreville | Goreville, IL | 72 of 72 | 713.5 ppb | 1,049 |
Creal Springs | Creal Springs, IL | 72 of 72 | 713.5 ppb | 710 |
Lake of Egypt PWD* | Marion, IL | 72 of 72 | 713.5 ppb | 10,345 |
Tower Hill | Tower Hill, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 650 |
Owaneco | Owaneco, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 245 |
West Salem | West Salem, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 921 |
E J Water Corp* | Dieterich, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 23,669 |
Dieterich | Dieterich, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 600 |
Louisville | Louisville, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 1,201 |
Sainte Marie | Ste. Marie, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 243 |
Findlay | Findlay, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 800 |
Windsor | Windsor, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 1,200 |
Edgewood | Edgewood, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 440 |
Clay City | Clay City, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 1,059 |
Watson | Watson, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 754 |
Sportsmen Acres | Pryor, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 218 |
Mayes County Rural Water District # 7* | Locust Grove, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 538 |
Mayes County Rural Water District #4* | Pryor, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 4,183 |
Okla Ordnance Works Authority* | Pryor, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 4,000 |
Pryor* | Pryor, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 8,784 |
Mayes County Rural Water District # 2* | Chouteau, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 6,280 |
Chouteau | Chouteau, OK | 119 of 120 | 695.8 ppb | 2,100 |
* 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 Chlorite, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curry Water Authority | Jasper, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 17,613 |
Jasper Water Works and Sewer Board* | Jasper, AL | 126 of 126 | 791.6 ppb | 28,638 |
Shawnee Municipal Authority* | Shawnee, OK | 88 of 90 | 746.0 ppb | 29,990 |
City of Portland | Portland, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 21,501 |
City of Rockport* | Rockport, TX | 214 of 214 | 738.3 ppb | 27,282 |
Maryville* | Maryville, MO | 216 of 216 | 729.4 ppb | 11,972 |
Lake of Egypt PWD* | Marion, IL | 72 of 72 | 713.5 ppb | 10,345 |
E J Water Corp* | Dieterich, IL | 108 of 109 | 699.3 ppb | 23,669 |
City of Mineral Wells* | Mineral Wells, TX | 216 of 216 | 694.1 ppb | 14,826 |
Smiths Water and Sewer Authority | Smith, AL | 113 of 116 | 672.9 ppb | 30,684 |
City of Port Arthur | Port Arthur, TX | 216 of 216 | 645.3 ppb | 42,796 |
Bessemer Water Service* | Bessemer, AL | 119 of 120 | 628.6 ppb | 85,113 |
Laguna Madre Water District | Port Isabel, TX | 179 of 180 | 623.2 ppb | 19,908 |
Alexander City Water Department* | Alexander City, AL | 78 of 78 | 622.6 ppb | 29,565 |
Walnut Hill Water Authority* | Dadeville, AL | 78 of 78 | 622.6 ppb | 11,304 |
Hamilton Water Works and Sewer Board* | Hamilton, AL | 78 of 78 | 615.6 ppb | 10,500 |
Murphysboro* | Murphysboro, IL | 72 of 72 | 606.0 ppb | 10,941 |
Ravenna City PWS | Ravenna, OH | 210 of 210 | 599.9 ppb | 14,000 |
Haleyville Water Works and Sewer Board* | Haleyville, AL | 114 of 114 | 593.3 ppb | 11,835 |
Warrior River Water Authority | Bessemer, AL | 78 of 78 | 588.3 ppb | 37,263 |
Sw White County | Searcy, AR | 70 of 72 | 579.4 ppb | 10,917 |
Searcy Waterworks* | Searcy, AR | 70 of 72 | 579.4 ppb | 23,650 |
Opelika Utilities* | Opelika, AL | 81 of 93 | 575.7 ppb | 43,263 |
Tuskegee Utilities Board* | Tuskegee, AL | 6 of 6 | 571.7 ppb | 12,510 |
San Dieguito WD | Encinitas, CA | 1 of 1 | 570.0 ppb | 36,750 |
Walnut Creek SUD* | Springtown, TX | 79 of 87 | 548.6 ppb | 23,118 |
Montgomery Water Works* | Montgomery, AL | 42 of 42 | 547.9 ppb | 231,354 |
North Marshall Utilities* | Grant, AL | 56 of 56 | 539.5 ppb | 11,850 |
East Rio Hondo WSC* | Rio Hondo, TX | 219 of 234 | 533.5 ppb | 21,726 |
City of Cullman Water Works* | Cullman, AL | 76 of 76 | 532.0 ppb | 35,922 |
Muscle Shoals Utility Board* | Muscle Shoals, AL | 77 of 77 | 527.5 ppb | 18,303 |
Windham Water Works | Mansfield Center, CT | 72 of 72 | 507.4 ppb | 21,214 |
Brunswick County Water System* | Bolivia, NC | 216 of 218 | 505.1 ppb | 100,694 |
Town of Oak Island | Oak Island, NC | 216 of 218 | 505.1 ppb | 23,635 |
Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2go | Leland, NC | 216 of 218 | 505.1 ppb | 28,488 |
City of Denison* | Denison, TX | 209 of 216 | 502.3 ppb | 22,682 |
Fort Sam Houston | Jbsa Lackland, TX | 135 of 135 | 499.5 ppb | 37,563 |
Marshall County Water Corp* | Madill, OK | 125 of 138 | 498.1 ppb | 14,717 |
Albion Village* | Waterport, NY | 63 of 63 | 497.1 ppb | 17,206 |
Paducah Water Works* | Paducah, KY | 40 of 40 | 496.3 ppb | 64,013 |
Phenix City Utilities* | Phenix City, AL | 129 of 129 | 486.2 ppb | 42,267 |
City of Raymondville | Raymondville, TX | 215 of 216 | 485.8 ppb | 11,288 |
Claremore* | Claremore, OK | 36 of 44 | 484.0 ppb | 15,873 |
City of Weatherford* | Weatherford, TX | 215 of 216 | 475.1 ppb | 27,900 |
City of Corpus Christi* | Corpus Christi, TX | 198 of 198 | 474.2 ppb | 325,733 |
City of Mission | Mission, TX | 456 of 456 | 473.7 ppb | 77,058 |
City of Midlothian* | Midlothian, TX | 423 of 429 | 473.5 ppb | 16,728 |
Clanton Water Department | Clanton, AL | 62 of 65 | 471.7 ppb | 13,500 |
Jacksonville Waterworks* | Jacksonville, AR | 4 of 4 | 469.3 ppb | 30,481 |
Central Elmore Water Authority* | Wetumpka, AL | 32 of 33 | 465.8 ppb | 36,900 |
* 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 Chlorite, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.