Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

UTILITY

South Ellis County Water Supply

location

Ellis County, Texas

serves

1,647

source

Groundwater

data

2018-2023

Overview

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 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 (April 2024 - June 2024), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Contaminants Detected

Arsenic

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.950 ppb

238x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.004 ppb

Arsenic

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 238 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.004 ppb or less

This Utility

0.95 ppb

Legal Limit

10 ppb

National Average

0.624 ppb

State Average

0.942 ppb

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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Bromochloroacetic acid

Potential Effect:

This Utility: 0.367 ppb

18x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.02 ppb

Bromochloroacetic acid

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 18 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.367 ppb

National Average

2.8 ppb

State Average

3.82 ppb

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.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Bromoform

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 2.20 ppb

4.4x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.5 ppb

Bromoform

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 4.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.5 ppb or less

This Utility

2.2 ppb

National Average

1.44 ppb

State Average

3.34 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform is based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer, harm to reproduction and child development, and change to fetal growth and development .

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromoacetic acid

Potential Effect:

This Utility: 1.10 ppb

37x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.03 ppb

Dibromoacetic acid

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 37 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.03 ppb or less

This Utility

1.1 ppb

National Average

1.13 ppb

State Average

2.64 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.03 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromochloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.289 ppb

2.9x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Dibromochloromethane

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 2.9 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

0.289 ppb

National Average

3.55 ppb

State Average

5.95 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 2.63 ppb

26x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

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 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

2.63 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

19.8 ppb

State Average

12.5 ppb

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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 3.85 ppb

26x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.15 ppb

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

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 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

3.85 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.1 ppb

State Average

25.6 ppb

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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected 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.

Aluminum

This Utility: 3.05 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 600 ppb

Aluminum

Aluminum is a metal released from metal refineries and mining operations. Too much aluminum exposure can impair children's brain development.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

600 ppb or less

This Utility

3.05 ppb

National Average

26.4 ppb

State Average

36.2 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 600 ppb for aluminum 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 harm to the brain and nervous system.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Barium

This Utility: 82.5 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 700 ppb

Barium

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

700 ppb or less

This Utility

82.5 ppb

Legal Limit

2,000 ppb

National Average

39.5 ppb

State Average

85.5 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Benzo[a]pyrene

This Utility: 0.00500 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.007 ppb

Benzo[a]pyrene

Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.007 ppb or less

This Utility

0.005 ppb

Legal Limit

0.2 ppb

National Average

0.000032 ppb

State Average

0.000027 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.007 ppb for benzo[a]pyrene 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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chromium (total)

This Utility: 0.950 ppb

No EWG Health Guideline

Chromium (total)

Chromium is a naturally occurring metal, but industrial uses can elevate its levels in water. One form, hexavalent chromium, causes cancer. Total chromium is not a good indicator of the amount of hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

How your levels compare

This Utility

0.95 ppb

Legal Limit

100 ppb

National Average

0.471 ppb

State Average

0.463 ppb

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Fluoride

This Utility: 1.54 ppm

No EWG Health Guideline

Fluoride

Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems to prevent cavities and support oral health in people.

In 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation of an optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, or ppm, added to drinking water based on the health benefits of tooth decay prevention. Studies have shown that fluoride added to community water systems at this level reduces dental cavities, especially in children.

And studies have conclusively shown that fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash can also provide these benefits.

How your levels compare

This Utility

1.54 ppm

Legal Limit

4 ppm

National Average

0.49 ppm

State Average

0.491 ppm

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppm = parts per million

Pollution Sources

Industry

Treatment Byproducts

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Manganese

This Utility: 2.88 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 100 ppb

Manganese

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

100 ppb or less

This Utility

2.88 ppb

National Average

8.66 ppb

State Average

5.36 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Ion Exchange

Monochloroacetic acid

This Utility: 1.53 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 53 ppb

Monochloroacetic acid

Monochloroacetic 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.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

53 ppb or less

This Utility

1.53 ppb

National Average

0.497 ppb

State Average

0.696 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 53 ppb for monochloroacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a public health goal. This health guideline protects against change to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Nitrate

This Utility: 0.0422 ppm

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.14 ppm

Nitrate

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.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.0422 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.824 ppm

State Average

0.525 ppm

Health Risks

The EWG 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.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppm = parts per million

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.

Other Contaminants Tested

Chemicals tested for but not detected:

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-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2-Hexanone, 3,5-Dichlorobenzoic acid, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, Acetone, Acifluorfen (Blazer), Acrylonitrile, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldrin, alpha-Chlordane, Antimony, Asbestos, Atrazine, Baygon (Propoxur), Bentazon (Basagran), Benzene, Beryllium, Bromacil, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromodichloromethane, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Cadmium, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloramben, Chlordane, Chloroethane, Chloroform, Chloromethane, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, Combined uranium, Cyanide, Dalapon, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichloroacetic acid, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dichlorprop, Dieldrin, Dinoseb, Endrin, Ethyl methacrylate, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, gamma-Chlordane, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Iodomethane, Isopropylbenzene, Lindane, m-Dichlorobenzene, Mercury (inorganic), Methiocarb, Methomyl, Methoxychlor, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, Methyl methacrylate, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Monobromoacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene), MTBE, n-Butylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene, Naphthalene, Nitrite, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, Oxamyl (Vydate), p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Propachlor, Radium, combined (-226 & -228), sec-Butylbenzene, Selenium, Silver, Simazine, Styrene, tert-Butylbenzene, Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), Tetrahydrofuran, Thallium, Toluene, Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-Dichloropropene, trans-Nonachlor, Trichloroacetic acid, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Vinyl acetate, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Find A Filter

Utility: 

South Ellis County Water Supply
view utility

Carbon Filters

FILTERS 6 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+2 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Reduced maintenance

cons

  • Does not remove all contaminants

Reverse Osmosis

FILTERS 7 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+7 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Most effective

cons

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Requires more maintenance
  • Wastes water

Other Considerations

Ion Exchange

Pros: Softens hard water, Reduces some contaminants

Cons: Doesn’t remove all contaminants

Whole-House Filters

Pros: Useful for reducing radiologicals and TCE

Cons: Expensive to install and maintain, Risk of bacterial contamination

Distillation

Pros: Removes heavy metals and harmful microbes

Cons: Does not reduce most contaminants

Explore filter options for each contaminant. See which technologies are effective at reducing specific contaminants to help you make an informed decision on the best water treatment solution for your needs.

CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Arsenic
Bromochloroacetic acid
Bromoform
Dibromoacetic acid
Dibromochloromethane
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Aluminum
Barium
Benzo[a]pyrene
Chromium (total)
Fluoride
Manganese
Monochloroacetic acid
Nitrate