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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Kinross Township

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Michigan Department of 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 (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility Details

  • Chippewa County, Michigan
  • Serves: 7,341
  • Data available: 2013-2019*
  • Source: Groundwater

    • * 2013 testing is for chemicals in EPA's Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-3) only.

Contaminants Detected

4

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

10 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

Filter contaminants out Contact Your Local Official What About Lead?

PFAS Detected (UCMR-5 Update)

The Environmental Protection Agency in May 2024 released a set of public water system testing data for the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, as required by its Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, or UCMR5. The EPA released the following results.

Contaminants Detected Table*

PFAS NAME DETECTS/SAMPLES % DETECTED RANGE OF
SAMPLE(S)		 DATE(S) OF
SAMPLES		 PROPOSED
LEGAL LIMIT
PFHxA1 / 333%0.0 - 4.9 ppt01/16/2024
PFHxS2 / 367%0.0 - 9.3 ppt01/16/2024Hazard Index
PFPeA1 / 333%0.0 - 4.2 ppt01/16/2024

Looking for a countertop water filter?

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Contaminants Detected

VIEW: EXCEED GUIDELINES OTHER DETECTED

Chromium (hexavalent)

Potential Effect: cancer17x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.332 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Chromium (hexavalent)

more about
this contaminant

Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).

Chromium (hexavalent) was found at 17 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.332 ppb

National Average

0.484 ppb

State Average

0.146 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) 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.

VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer6.9x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.971 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 6.9 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.971 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.935 ppm

State Average

0.377 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 icon

Agriculture

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Potential Effect: cancer7.5x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.38 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 7.5 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.38 pCi/L

Legal Limit

5 pCi/L

National Average

0.46 pCi/L

State Average

0.86 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 icon

Industry

naturally occuring icon

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

ion exchange icon

Ion Exchange

Total PFOS and PFOA

Potential Effect: 286x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.00 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.007 ppt
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Total PFOS and PFOA

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS, PFOA and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Total PFOS and PFOA was found at 286 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.007 ppt or less

This Utility

2 ppt

National Average

1.06 ppt

State Average

0.785 ppt
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

EWG applied the health guideline of 0.007 ppt, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for PFOA, to PFOS and PFOA combined. This health guideline protects against cancer
VIEW MORE TESTING DATA

Pollution Sources

industry icon

Industry

urban area icon

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

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; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program in 2013 to 2015 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.

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-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene , 1,3-Butadiene , 1,3-Dichloropropane , 1,4-Dioxane , 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2,4,5-T , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 3-Hydroxycarbofuran , 4,4'-dde , Acetochlor , Acifluorfen (Blazer) , Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldicarb , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Aldrin , alpha-Lindane , Antimony , Arsenic , Atrazine , Baygon (Propoxur) , Bentazon (Basagran) , Benzene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Beryllium , beta-BHC , Bromobenzene , Bromochloromethane , Bromodichloromethane , Bromoform , Bromomethane , Cadmium , Carbaryl , Carbofuran , Carbon tetrachloride , Chlorate , Chlordane , Chlorodifluoromethane , Chloroethane , Chloroform , Chloromethane , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Cobalt , Cyanide , Dacthal , DCPA mono- and di-acid degradates , delta-BHC , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Dibromochloromethane , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dieldrin , Dinoseb , Endrin , Endrin aldehyde , Ethylbenzene , Fluoride , gamma-Chlordane , Germanium , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Mercury (inorganic) , Methiocarb , Methomyl , Methoxychlor , Methyl ethyl ketone , Methyl isobutyl ketone , Metolachlor , Metribuzin , Molinate , Molybdenum , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , MTBE , n-Butylbenzene , n-Propylbenzene , Naphthalene , Nitrite , Nitrobenzene , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , Oxamyl (Vydate) , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Para-para DDT , Para-para DDT , Pentachlorophenol , Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) , Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) , Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) , Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) , Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) , Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , sec-Butylbenzene , Selenium , Simazine , Styrene , Tellurium , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Tetrahydrofuran , Thallium , Toluene , Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Trichloroethylene , Trichlorofluoromethane , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)

Kinross Township compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Kinross Township complied with health-based drinking water standards.

Information in this section on Kinross Township 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
Chromium (hexavalent)✔✔
Nitrate✔✔
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)✔✔
Total PFOS and PFOA✔✔
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
Barium✔✔
Chromium (total)✔✔
Manganese✔
Strontium✔✔
Total PFAS✔✔
Vanadium✔

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
Get the guide

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