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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Dexter Village

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

  • Dexter, New York
  • Serves: 1,100
  • Data available: 2014-2019
  • Source: Groundwater

Contaminants Detected

11

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

18 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

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Contaminants Detected

VIEW: EXCEED GUIDELINES OTHER DETECTED

Bromodichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: 25x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.000 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.04 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Bromodichloroacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

Bromodichloroacetic acid is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloroacetic acid and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

Bromodichloroacetic acid was found at 25 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

1 ppb

National Average

1.14 ppb

State Average

0.758 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 bromodichloroacetic 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Bromodichloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer303x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY18.2 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Bromodichloromethane

more about
this contaminant

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

Bromodichloromethane was found at 303 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

18.2 ppb

National Average

5.79 ppb

State Average

5.26 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 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chloroform

Potential Effect: cancer127x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY50.8 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.4 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Chloroform

more about
this contaminant

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

Chloroform was found at 127 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.4 ppb or less

This Utility

50.8 ppb

National Average

15.5 ppb

State Average

25.6 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 0.4 ppb for chloroform 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromoacetic acid

Potential Effect: 20x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.781 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 20 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

0.781 ppb

National Average

1.1 ppb

State Average

0.208 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromochloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer58x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY5.76 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 58 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

5.76 ppb

National Average

3.29 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 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer71x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY14.2 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.2 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Dichloroacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

Dichloroacetic 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.

Dichloroacetic acid was found at 71 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.2 ppb or less

This Utility

14.2 ppb

National Average

7.97 ppb

State Average

11.5 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 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer372x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY37.2 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 372 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

37.2 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

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer2.2x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.307 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 2.2 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.307 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

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Potential Effect: cancer20x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.98 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 20 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.98 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: cancer497x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY74.5 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 497 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

74.5 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

Trichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer199x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY19.9 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 199 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

19.9 ppb

National Average

6.62 ppb

State Average

15.9 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.

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; 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 , 1,1,1-Trichloroethane , 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,2-Trichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethylene , 1,1-Dichloropropene , 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,3-Trichloropropane , 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene , 1,3-Dichloropropane , 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 3-Hydroxycarbofuran , Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldicarb , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Aldrin , Antimony , Arsenic , Asbestos , Atrazine , Benzene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Beryllium , Bromobenzene , Bromochloroacetic acid , Bromochloromethane , Bromomethane , Butachlor , Cadmium , Carbaryl , Carbofuran , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlordane , Chloroethane , Chloromethane , Chromium (total) , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Cyanide , Dalapon , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dieldrin , Dinoseb , Endrin , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Mercury (inorganic) , Methomyl , Methoxychlor , Metolachlor , Metribuzin , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , MTBE , n-Butylbenzene , n-Propylbenzene , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , Oxamyl (Vydate) , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Pentachlorophenol , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , Propachlor , sec-Butylbenzene , Selenium , Silver , Simazine , Styrene , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Thallium , Toluene , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Trichloroethylene , Trichlorofluoromethane , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Dexter Village compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Dexter Village complied with health-based drinking water standards.
  • 7 QUARTERS
    in violation of any federal drinking water standard from April 2019 to March 2021
  • Over the last 3 years this water utility has spent
    2 QUARTERS
    in significant violation of federal drinking water standards

Information in this section on Dexter Village 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
Bromodichloroacetic acid✔✔
Bromodichloromethane✔✔
Chloroform✔✔
Dibromoacetic acid✔✔
Dibromochloromethane✔✔
Dichloroacetic acid✔✔
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)✔✔
Nitrate✔✔
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)✔✔
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)✔✔
Trichloroacetic acid✔✔
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
Barium✔✔
Bromoform✔✔
Dichloromethane (methylene chloride)✔✔
Fluoride✔
Manganese✔
Monobromoacetic acid✔✔
Monochloroacetic acid✔✔

Take Action

Contact Your Local Official

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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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