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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Bethpage WD

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

  • Oyster Bay, New York
  • Serves: 33,000
  • Data available: 2013-2019*
  • Source: Groundwater

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

Contaminants Detected

8

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

37 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?

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Contaminants Detected

VIEW: EXCEED GUIDELINES OTHER DETECTED

1,4-Dioxane

Potential Effect: cancer12x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY4.27 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.35 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

1,4-Dioxane

more about
this contaminant

1,4-Dioxane is a solvent classified by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen. It contaminates groundwater in many states due to industrial wastewater discharges, plastic manufacturing runoff and landfill runoff.

1,4-Dioxane was found at 12 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.35 ppb or less

This Utility

4.27 ppb

National Average

0.0681 ppb

State Average

0.0995 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 0.35 ppb for 1,4-dioxane 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

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†

Potential Effect: cancer23x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.36 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 23 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

1.36 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: cancer25x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.50 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 25 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

3.5 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

Nitrate and nitrite

Potential Effect: cancer26x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.62 ppm
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.14 ppm
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppm
DETAILS
X

Nitrate and nitrite

more about
this contaminant

Nitrate and nitrite enter water from fertilizer runoff, septic tanks and urban runoff. These contaminants can cause oxygen deprivation for infants and increase the risk of cancer. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Click here to read more about nitrate.

Nitrate and nitrite was found at 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

3.62 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.888 ppm

State Average

0.39 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 health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Perchlorate

Potential Effect: harm to the thyroid2.4x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.42 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Perchlorate

more about
this contaminant

Perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, occurs both naturally and as a synthetic chemical. Ingested perchlorate interferes with thyroid function. Exposure to perchlorate during pregnancy and childhood can impair cognitive development.

Perchlorate was found at 2.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppb or less

This Utility

2.42 ppb

National Average

0.102 ppb

State Average

0.705 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 1 ppb for perchlorate 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 hormone disruption.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Potential Effect: cancer54x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.377 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.007 ppt
PROPOSED LEGAL LIMIT4 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOA 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.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found at 54 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.007 ppt or less

This Utility

0.377 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

1.15 ppt

State Average

10.1 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 0.007 ppt for PFOA was proposed by 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

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Potential Effect: cancer63x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.13 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 63 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

3.13 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

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

Potential Effect: cancer2.7x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.410 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 2.7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

0.41 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:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethylene , 1,1-Dichloropropene , 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,3-Trichloropropane , 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene , 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) , 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene , 1,3-Butadiene , 1,3-Dichloropropane , 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 2-Hexanone , 2-methoxyethanol , 2-propen-1-ol , 3-Hydroxycarbofuran , Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldicarb , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Aldrin , Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane , Antimony , Arsenic , Atrazine , Benzaldehyde , Benzene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Beryllium , Bromobenzene , Bromochloromethane , Bromodichloromethane , Butachlor , Butanal , Butylated hydroxyanisole , Cadmium , Carbaryl , Carbofuran , Chlordane , Chlorodifluoromethane , Chloroethane , Chloromethane , Chlorpyriphos , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Cyanide , Dalapon , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Dibromochloromethane , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dieldrin , Dimethipin , Dinoseb , Diquat , Endothall , Endrin , Ethoprop , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Fluoride , Formaldehyde , Germanium , Glyoxal , Glyphosate , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Heptanal , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Mercury (inorganic) , Methomyl , Methoxychlor , Methyl ethyl ketone , Methyl isobutyl ketone , Metolachlor , Metribuzin , Molybdenum , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , MTBE , n-Butylbenzene , n-Propylbenzene , Nitrite , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , o-toluidine , Oxamyl (Vydate) , Oxyflurofen , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Pentachlorophenol , Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) , Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) , Permethrin , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , Profenofos , Propachlor , Propanal , Quinoline , sec-Butylbenzene , Selenium , Silver , Simazine , Styrene , Tebuconazole , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Tetrahydrofuran , Toluene , Toxaphene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Tribufos , Trichlorofluoromethane , Vanadium , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Bethpage WD compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Bethpage WD complied with health-based drinking water standards.

Information in this section on Bethpage WD 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
1,4-Dioxane✔
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)✔✔
Nitrate✔✔
Nitrate & nitrite✔✔
Perchlorate✔✔
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)✔✔
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)✔✔
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)✔✔
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
1,1,1-Trichloroethane✔✔
1,1,2-Trichloroethane✔✔
1,1-Dichloroethane✔✔
1,2-Dichloroethane✔✔
1,2-Dichloropropane✔✔
1-butanol✔✔
Acetaldhyde✔✔
Acetone
Barium✔✔
Bromoform✔✔
Bromomethane✔✔
Carbon tetrachloride✔✔
Chlorate
Chlorodifluoromethane
Chloroform✔✔
Chromium (hexavalent)✔✔
Chromium (total)✔✔
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene✔✔
Cobalt✔✔
Manganese✔
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)✔✔
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)✔✔
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)✔✔
Strontium✔✔
Thallium✔✔
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene✔✔
Trichloroethylene✔✔
Trichlorotrifluoroethane
Uranium, combined (pCi/L)✔✔

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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