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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Suffolk County Water Authority

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the New York Department of Health - Bureau of Public Water Supply Protection, as well as information 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

  • Babylon ,brookhaven ,east Hampton, New York
  • Serves: 1,100,000
  • Data available: 2013-2020*
  • Source: Groundwater

    • * 2013 testing is for chemicals in EPA's Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-3) only. 2020/2021 testing is for chemicals in EPA's Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-4) only.

Contaminants Detected

9

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

43 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

Filter contaminants out Contact Your Local Official What About Lead?

PFAS Detected (UCMR-5 Update)

The Environmental Protection Agency in August 2023 released a set of public water system testing data for the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, as required by its Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, or UCMR5. The EPA released the following results.

Contaminants Detected Table*

PFAS NAME DETECTS/SAMPLES % DETECTED RANGE OF
SAMPLE(S)		 DATE(S) OF
SAMPLES		 PROPOSED
LEGAL LIMIT
6:2 FTS2 / 1641%0.0 - 23.6 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023
PFBA4 / 1642%0.0 - 9.9 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023
PFBS2 / 1641%0.0 - 3.7 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023Hazard Index
PFHpA3 / 1642%0.0 - 9.6 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023
PFHxA15 / 1649%0.0 - 43.5 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023
PFHxS11 / 1647%0.0 - 10.8 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023Hazard Index
PFNA2 / 1641%0.0 - 5.7 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023Hazard Index
PFOA5 / 1643%0.0 - 6.5 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/20234 ppt
PFOS3 / 1642%0.0 - 6.8 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/20234 ppt
PFPeA19 / 16412%0.0 - 39.4 ppt01/03/2023 - 08/29/2023

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Contaminants Detected

VIEW: EXCEED GUIDELINES OTHER DETECTED

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

Potential Effect: cancer18x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.0126 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.0007 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

more about
this contaminant

1,2,3-Trichloropropane is a potent carcinogen that contaminates drinking water in agricultural regions where it was historically used as soil fumigant. Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

1,2,3-Trichloropropane was found at 18 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.0007 ppb or less

This Utility

0.0126 ppb

National Average

0.00041 ppb

State Average

0.000938 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.0007 ppb for 1,2,3-trichloropropane 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chromium (hexavalent)

Potential Effect: cancer21x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.414 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Chromium (hexavalent)

more about
this contaminant

Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).

Chromium (hexavalent) was found at 21 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.414 ppb

National Average

0.484 ppb

State Average

0.0992 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer10x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.01 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb
DETAILS
X

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

more about
this 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 10 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

1.01 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

17.1 ppb

State Average

26.1 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†

Potential Effect: cancer22x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.33 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

more about
this contaminant

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 22 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

1.33 ppb

National Average

23.7 ppb

State Average

36.4 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2021.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer18x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.52 ppm
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.14 ppm
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppm
DETAILS
X

Nitrate

more about
this contaminant

Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.

Nitrate was found at 18 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

2.52 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.935 ppm

State Average

0.562 ppm
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppm = parts per million

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Potential Effect: 2.5x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.52 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
PROPOSED LEGAL LIMIT4 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was found at 2.5 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

2.52 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

0.908 ppt

State Average

0.774 ppt
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for PFOS was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Potential Effect: cancer8.7x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.44 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.05 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT5 pCi/L
DETAILS
X

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

more about
this 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 8.7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.44 pCi/L

Legal Limit

5 pCi/L

National Average

0.46 pCi/L

State Average

0.49 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.
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Radon

Potential Effect: cancer14x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY21.62 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1.5 pCi/L
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Radon

more about
this contaminant

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from soil and groundwater, and causes lung cancer. Highest exposures come from radon entering a house through its basement or crawl spaces, or from it volatilizing in the water.

Radon was found at 14 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1.5 pCi/L or less

This Utility

21.62 pCi/L

National Average

153.68 pCi/L

State Average

83.22 pCi/L
NO LEGAL LIMIT
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

The EWG Health Guideline of 1.5 pCi/L for radon was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

Potential Effect: cancer34x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY5.04 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.15 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT80 ppb
DETAILS
X

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

more about
this 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 34 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

5.04 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.7 ppb

State Average

33.1 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.
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

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; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program in 2013 to 2015 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) program in 2017 to 2020 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.

† 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:

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 1,3-Butadiene , 1-butanol , 17-beta-Estradiol , 2-methoxyethanol , 2-propen-1-ol , 4-Androstene-3,17-dione , Alachlor (Lasso) , Alachlor ESA , Alachlor oxanilic acid , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane , Arsenic , Bromide , Bromochloromethane , Bromodichloroacetic acid , Bromomethane , Butylated hydroxyanisole , Cadmium , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlordane , Chloromethane , Chlorpyriphos , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , Dibromomethane , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dimethipin , Equilin , Estriol , Estrone , Ethinyl estradiol , Ethoprop , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Fluoride , Hexazinone , m-Dichlorobenzene , Metalaxyl , Methyl ethyl ketone , Methyl isobutyl ketone , Metolachlor , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , o-toluidine , Oxyflurofen , Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) , Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) , Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) , Permethrin , Profenofos , Quinoline , Selenium , Tebuconazole , Terbacil , tert-Butyl alcohol , Testosterone , Tetrahydrofuran , Tin , Toluene , Tribufos , Trichlorofluoromethane

Suffolk County Water Authority compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Suffolk County Water Authority complied with health-based drinking water standards.
  • 1 QUARTER
    in violation of any federal drinking water standard from April 2019 to March 2021

Information in this section on Suffolk County Water Authority comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITY

Water Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels

ContaminantActivated Carbonactivated carbonReverse Osmosisreverse osmosisIon Exchangeion exchange
CONTAMINANTS ABOVE
HEALTH GUIDELINES
1,2,3-Trichloropropane✔✔
Chromium (hexavalent)✔✔
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)✔✔
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)✔✔
Nitrate✔✔
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)✔✔
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)✔✔
Radon✔✔
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)✔✔
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
1,1,1-Trichloroethane✔✔
1,1-Dichloroethane✔✔
1,1-Dichloroethylene✔✔
1,4-Dioxane✔
Aluminum✔
Barium✔✔
Bromochloroacetic acid✔✔
Bromodichloromethane✔✔
Bromoform✔✔
Chlorate
Chlorodifluoromethane
Chlorodifluoromethane
Chloroform✔✔
Chromium (total)✔✔
Cobalt✔✔
Dibromochloromethane✔✔
Germanium✔
Lithium✔✔
Manganese✔
Metolachlor ethane sulfonic acid✔✔
Metolachlor oxanilic acid✔✔
Molybdenum✔✔
MTBE✔✔
Perchlorate✔✔
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)✔✔
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)✔✔
Strontium✔✔
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)✔✔
Tetrachloroterephthalic acid
Titanium✔
Trichloroethylene✔✔
Trichlorotrifluoroethane
Vanadium✔
Xylenes (total)✔✔

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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