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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Arvin Community Services District

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the California State Water Resources Control Board, 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

  • Arvin, California
  • Serves: 19,000
  • Data available: 2014-2019
  • Source: Groundwater

Contaminants Detected

13

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

29 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.

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Contaminants Detected

1,2,3-Trichloropropane

Potential Effect: cancer44x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.0310 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 44 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.0007 ppb or less

This Utility

0.031 ppb

National Average

0.00041 ppb

State Average

0.000697 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.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)

Potential Effect: cancer4.4x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.00755 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.0017 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT0.2 ppb
DETAILS
X

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)

more about
this contaminant

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane is a pesticide fumigant banned in the 1970s after scientists discovered it caused sterility in men who worked with it. The chemical causes cancer in laboratory animals and may cause cancer in people.

1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) was found at 4.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.0017 ppb or less

This Utility

0.00755 ppb

Legal Limit

0.2 ppb

National Average

0.00041 ppb

State Average

0.0028 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 0.0017 ppb for 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane 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.

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Arsenic

over legal limit
THIS UTILITY19.3 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.004 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppb
DETAILS
X

Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.

Arsenic was found at 4,826 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.004 ppb or less

This Utility

19.3 ppb

Legal Limit

10 ppb

National Average

0.647 ppb

State Average

1.1 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 0.004 ppb for arsenic 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.

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Bromoform

Potential Effect: cancer6.2x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.09 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.5 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Bromoform was found at 6.2 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.5 ppb or less

This Utility

3.09 ppb

National Average

1.32 ppb

State Average

2.81 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
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 0.5 ppb for bromoform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chromium (hexavalent)

Potential Effect: cancer29x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.571 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 29 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.571 ppb

National Average

0.484 ppb

State Average

1.36 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.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Dibromoacetic acid

Potential Effect: 15x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.606 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.04 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Dibromoacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dibromoacetic acid was found at 15 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

0.606 ppb

National Average

1.1 ppb

State Average

1.95 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
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 0.04 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromochloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer4.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.429 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Dibromochloromethane

more about
this contaminant

Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dibromochloromethane was found at 4.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

0.429 ppb

National Average

3.29 ppb

State Average

4.73 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
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 dibromochloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer32x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.24 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 32 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

3.24 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

17.1 ppb

State Average

12.5 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†

Potential Effect: cancer6.2x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.369 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 6.2 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

0.369 ppb

National Average

23.7 ppb

State Average

15.6 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer11x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.48 ppm
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.14 ppm
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppm
DETAILS
X

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 11 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

1.48 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.935 ppm

State Average

1.9 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.

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)

Potential Effect: cancer5.4x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.323 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT5 ppb
DETAILS
X

Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)

more about
this contaminant

Dry cleaning chemical tetrachloroethylene, or perc, can cause cancer. It pollutes soil and groundwater due to emissions from dry cleaning facilities, and automotive, metalworking and other industries.

Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) was found at 5.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

0.323 ppb

Legal Limit

5 ppb

National Average

0.0211 ppb

State Average

0.0723 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 0.06 ppb for tetrachloroethylene 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.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

Potential Effect: cancer27x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY4.09 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 27 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

4.09 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.7 ppb

State Average

27.8 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Trichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer26x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.56 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Trichloroacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Trichloroacetic acid was found at 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

2.56 ppb

National Average

6.62 ppb

State Average

3.27 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
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 trichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 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.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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded the federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL); 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.

† 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:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,1-Trichloroethane , 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,2-Trichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethylene , 1,1-Dichloropropene , 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene , 1,3-Butadiene , 1,3-Dichloropropane , 1,3-Dichloropropene , 1,4-Dioxane , 1-butanol , 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2-Chloroethylvinyl ether , 2-methoxyethanol , 2-propen-1-ol , Acenaphthylene , Alachlor (Lasso) , Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane , Anthracene , Antimony , Asbestos , Atraton , Atrazine , Benzene , Benzo[a]anthracene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Benzo[b]fluoranthene , Benzo[g,h,i]perylene , Benzo[k]fluoranthene , Beryllium , Bromacil , Bromobenzene , Bromochloromethane , Bromomethane , Butyl benzyl phthalate , Butylated hydroxyanisole , Cadmium , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlorodifluoromethane , Chloroethane , Chloroform , Chloromethane , Chlorpyriphos , Chrysene , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Cobalt , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Diazinon (Spectracide) , Dibenz[a,h]anthracene , Dibromomethane , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dimethipin , Dimethoate , Dimethyl phthalate , Ethoprop , Ethyl tert-butyl ether , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Fluorene , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Methoxychlor , Metolachlor , Metribuzin , Molinate , Monobromoacetic acid , Monochloroacetic acid , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , MTBE , n-Butylbenzene , n-Propylbenzene , Naphthalene , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , o-toluidine , Oxyflurofen , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Perchlorate , Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) , Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) , Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) , Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) , Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) , Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) , Permethrin , Phenanthrene , Profenofos , Prometon , Prometryn , Pyrene , Quinoline , Radium, combined (-226 & -228) , sec-Butylbenzene , Secbumeton , Silver , Simazine , Styrene , Tebuconazole , Terbutryn , tert-Amyl methyl ether , tert-Butyl alcohol , tert-Butylbenzene , Thallium , Thiobencarb , Toluene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Tribufos , Trichloroethylene , Trichlorofluoromethane , Trichlorotrifluoroethane , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Arvin Community Services District compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Arvin Community Services District complied with health-based drinking water standards.
  • 5 QUARTERS
    in violation of any federal drinking water standard from April 2019 to March 2021

Information in this section on Arvin Community Services District 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
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
Arsenic
Bromoform
Chromium (hexavalent)
Dibromoacetic acid
Dibromochloromethane
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Nitrate
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Trichloroacetic acid
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
Aluminum
Barium
Bromodichloromethane
Chlorate
Chromium (total)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Dichloroacetic acid
Fluoride
Germanium
Manganese
Mercury (inorganic)
Molybdenum
Nitrite
Selenium
Strontium
Vanadium

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