We often don’t think about what’s in our water when it comes out of the faucet clear and without dirty particles.
But a report released Wednesday paints a different picture for even the clearest of water. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its annual report which indicates a presence of harmful contaminants in the Georgia water supply that can cause cancer, developmental issues in children, problems in pregnancy and other serious health conditions.
EWG found 6 contaminants detected above health guidelines and 3 others detected contaminants.
- Bromodichloromethane
- formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water
- Bromodichloromethane was present above health guidelines levels 4 out of the 6 years tested
- The EPA has a non-enforceable federal rule pushing for 0.0ppb for any cancer-causing substances, including Bromodichloromethane
| Health Guideline |
State |
National |
Cobbtown |
| 0.4 ppb |
1.79 ppb |
4.31 ppb |
5.20 ppb |
- Chloroform
- 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.
- It was deteched in 4 of the last 6 years tested, and over the health guideline level for the last two.
-
| Health Guideline |
State Average |
National |
Cobbtown |
| 1 ppb |
6.67 ppb |
11.2 ppb |
7.50 ppb |
- Dibromochloromethane
- 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.
| Health Guideline |
State Average |
National |
Cobbtown |
| 0.7000 ppb |
0.714 ppb |
2.96 ppb |
4.50 ppb |
- Dichloroacetic Acid
- one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards
- formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water
| Health Guideline |
State Average |
National |
Cobbtown |
| 0.7000 ppb |
3.19 ppb |
6.00 ppb |
3.30 ppb |
-
-
This utility detected Radium, combined (-226 & -228) & Radium-226.
Radiological contaminants leach into water from certain minerals and from mining. Drinking water contamination with radioactive substances increases the risk of cancer and may harm fetal development.
- Total Trihalomethanes
The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
EWG says the contaminants partially come from natural occurances and industry, but 67% of them are due to treatment byproducts.
The City of Cobbtown, however, is not in violation of the law for the presence of the above-mentioned contaminants. Legal limits and health guidelines are often different and present conflicting standards. That’s why the EPA has cited “no violations” for the City of Cobbtown. [See the EPA record here] The EPA did note a presence of lead in Cobbtown’s water back in 2012.
You can see the full report from EWG for the City of Cobbtown here.
Similarly, the City of Manassas and Rogers State Prison both reported ZERO contaminants in their samplings.
EWG is an independent nonprofit organization that uses outside scientists for analysis.
