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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Emma PWS

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources - Public Drinking Water Program, 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

  • Emma, Missouri
  • Serves: 205
  • Data available: 2014-2019
  • Source: Purchased surface water

Contaminants Detected

14

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

24 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.

Looking for a countertop water filter?

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Contaminants Detected

Atrazine*

Potential Effect: harm to the developing fetus12x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.20 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT3 ppb
DETAILS
X

Atrazine is a herbicide commonly detected in drinking water that comes from cornfield and other agricultural runoff. It is a hormone disrupter that harms the male and female reproductive systems of people and wildlife.

Atrazine was found at 12 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

1.2 ppb

Legal Limit

3 ppb

National Average

0.0194 ppb

State Average

0.0885 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 atrazine was defined by EWG based on epidemiological studies of human exposure to atrazine in drinking water.. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus, harm to the reproductive system and hormone disruption.

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Bromochloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: 198x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY3.96 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Bromochloroacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

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

Bromochloroacetic acid was found at 198 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

3.96 ppb

National Average

3.16 ppb

State Average

3.15 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 0.02 ppb for bromochloroacetic 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

Bromodichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: 109x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY4.35 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 109 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

4.35 ppb

National Average

1.14 ppb

State Average

1.24 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Bromodichloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer180x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY10.8 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 180 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

10.8 ppb

National Average

5.79 ppb

State Average

3.77 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chlorite*

Potential Effect: change in blood chemistry7.5x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY373.1 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE50 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT1,000 ppb
DETAILS
X

Chlorite is a disinfection byproduct resulting from water treatment with chlorine dioxide. Chlorite decreases hemoglobin levels and causes other hematologic effects.

Chlorite was found at 7.5 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

50 ppb or less

This Utility

373.1 ppb

Legal Limit

1,000 ppb

National Average

209.1 ppb

State Average

428.7 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 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.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chlorodibromoacetic acid

Potential Effect: Cancer; Harm to reproduction and child development4x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.0800 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Chlorodibromoacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

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

Chlorodibromoacetic acid was found at 4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.08 ppb

National Average

0.322 ppb

State Average

0.298 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 0.02 ppb for chlorodibromoacetic 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

Chloroform

Potential Effect: cancer159x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY63.5 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.4 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

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 159 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.4 ppb or less

This Utility

63.5 ppb

National Average

15.5 ppb

State Average

13.9 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 0.4 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromochloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer16x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.61 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 16 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

1.61 ppb

National Average

3.29 ppb

State Average

1.62 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

Dichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer97x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY19.4 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 97 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.2 ppb or less

This Utility

19.4 ppb

National Average

7.97 ppb

State Average

11.2 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer395x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY39.5 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 395 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

39.5 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

17.1 ppb

State Average

14.2 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

Nitrate and nitrite*

Potential Effect: cancer4.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.598 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 4.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.598 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.888 ppm

State Average

0.833 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.

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

Potential Effect: cancer506x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY75.9 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 506 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

75.9 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.7 ppb

State Average

21.1 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.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Tribromoacetic acid*

Potential Effect: 2.5x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.0990 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.04 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Tribromoacetic acid

more about
this contaminant

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

Tribromoacetic acid was found at 2.5 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

0.099 ppb

National Average

0.2 ppb

State Average

0.211 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 tribromoacetic 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

Trichloroacetic acid

Potential Effect: cancer201x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY20.1 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 201 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

20.1 ppb

National Average

6.62 ppb

State Average

2.6 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 0.1 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 an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.



*This water utility buys or otherwise receives some or all of its finished water from Concordia PWS. Tap water results marked with an * are from the supplying utility.

† 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:

Bromoform , Dibromoacetic acid , Monochloroacetic acid , Tribromoacetic acid

Emma PWS compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Emma PWS complied with health-based drinking water standards.
  • 5 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
    3 QUARTERS
    in significant violation of federal drinking water standards

Information in this section on Emma PWS 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
Atrazine
Bromochloroacetic acid
Bromodichloroacetic acid
Bromodichloromethane
Chlorite
Chlorodibromoacetic acid
Chloroform
Dibromochloromethane
Dichloroacetic acid
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Nitrate & nitrite
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Tribromoacetic acid
Trichloroacetic acid
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
Aluminum
Barium
Bromomethane
Dalapon
Dibromoacetic acid
Fluoride
Manganese
Metolachlor
Monobromoacetic acid
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