Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Fort Sam Houston

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. Read More.

Haloacetic acids are harmful during pregnancy and may increase the risk of cancer. Haloacetic acids are� genotoxic, which means that they induce mutations and DNA damage. Multiple studies by the National Toxicology Program have demonstrated the cancer-causing properties of individual haloacetic acids in laboratory animals. The Department of Health and Human Services is currently considering listing di- or tri-haloacetic acids for possible inclusion in its comprehensive Report on Carcinogens.

Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

96

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

14

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.156 ppb162ND - 1.50 ppb
20150.275 ppb164ND - 1.20 ppb
20160.256 ppb163ND - 2.00 ppb
20170.263 ppb163ND - 2.00 ppb
20180.144 ppb162ND - 1.20 ppb
2019ND160ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.1 ppb

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.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 60 ppb

The legal limit for the group of five haloacetic acids (HAA5), established in 1998, was based on the need for residual disinfectant levels in water served to customers and the cost of treatment. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer and harm to the developing fetus due to exposure to haloacetic acids.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-02-21AC44180ND
2014-02-21AC44238ND
2014-02-21AC44234ND
2014-02-21AC44181ND
2014-04-17AC51045ND
2014-04-17AC51059ND
2014-04-17AC51058ND
2014-04-17AC51061ND
2014-07-25AC612171.000 ppb
2014-07-25AC61228ND
2014-07-25AC612241.50 ppb
2014-07-25AC61226ND
2014-12-09AC74034ND
2014-12-09AC74056ND
2014-12-09AC74049ND
2014-12-09AC74052ND
2015-03-23AC854571.10 ppb
2015-03-23AC854991.10 ppb
2015-03-23AC854551.20 ppb
2015-03-23AC85498ND
2015-06-16AC96176ND
2015-06-16AC96179ND
2015-06-16AC96182ND
2015-06-16AC96175ND
2015-08-14AD04250ND
2015-08-14AD04275ND
2015-08-14AD04253ND
2015-08-14AD04276ND
2015-10-16AD10992ND
2015-10-16AD10991ND
2015-10-16AD109941.000 ppb
2015-10-16AD10993ND
2016-02-25AD257222.00 ppb
2016-02-25AD25698ND
2016-02-25AD25723ND
2016-02-25AD25729ND
2016-06-16AD40918ND
2016-06-16AD40915ND
2016-06-16AD409141.000 ppb
2016-06-16AD40919ND
2016-09-28AD51621ND
2016-09-28AD51622ND
2016-09-28AD516191.10 ppb
2016-09-28AD51620ND
2016-12-12AD61647ND
2016-12-12AD61643ND
2016-12-12AD61646ND
2016-12-12AD61644ND
2017-01-30AD67503ND
2017-01-30AD67502ND
2017-01-30AD67505ND
2017-01-30AD67504ND
2017-04-24AD80653ND
2017-04-24AD806632.00 ppb
2017-04-24AD80668ND
2017-04-24AD80654ND
2017-07-07AD886551.000 ppb
2017-07-07AD88657ND
2017-07-07AD886561.20 ppb
2017-07-07AD88654ND
2017-10-10AE00087ND
2017-10-10AE00095ND
2017-10-10AE00094ND
2017-10-10AE00084ND
2018-01-18AE09217ND
2018-01-18AE09227ND
2018-01-18AE09224ND
2018-01-18AE09219ND
2018-04-20AE23437ND
2018-04-20AE23436ND
2018-04-20AE23439ND
2018-04-20AE23438ND
2018-07-11AE32954ND
2018-07-11AE32955ND
2018-07-11AE329471.10 ppb
2018-07-11AE32948ND
2018-10-17AE43917ND
2018-10-17AE43911ND
2018-10-17AE439161.20 ppb
2018-10-17AE43913ND
2019-01-24AE51192ND
2019-01-24AE51211ND
2019-01-24AE51236ND
2019-01-24AE51195ND
2019-04-08AE61367ND
2019-04-08AE61365ND
2019-04-08AE61326ND
2019-04-08AE61364ND
2019-08-06AE77204ND
2019-08-06AE77205ND
2019-08-06AE77217ND
2019-08-06AE77208ND
2019-10-23AE87398ND
2019-10-23AE87414ND
2019-10-23AE87393ND
2019-10-23AE87394ND