EWG's drinking water quality report showsresults of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well asinformation 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
- Harris County, Texas
- Serves: 9,906
- Data available: 2014-2019
- Source: Purchased surface water
Contaminants Detected
10
EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES
31 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
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Contaminants Detected
Arsenic
Potential Effect: cancer1,755x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY7.02 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.004 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppb
X
Arsenic
more aboutthis contaminant
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 1,755 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.004 ppb or less
This Utility
7.02 ppb
Legal Limit
10 ppb
National Average
0.647 ppb
State Average
1.03 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 0.004 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.
Pollution Sources
Agriculture
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Atrazine
Potential Effect: harm to the developing fetus2.1x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.210 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT3 ppb
X
Atrazine
more aboutthis contaminant
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 2.1 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
0.21 ppb
Legal Limit
3 ppb
National Average
0.0194 ppb
State Average
0.0547 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: 93x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.86 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Bromochloroacetic acid
more aboutthis 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 93 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.02 ppb or less
This Utility
1.86 ppb
National Average
3.16 ppb
State Average
4.18 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
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer18x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.05 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Bromodichloromethane
more aboutthis 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 18 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.06 ppb or less
This Utility
1.05 ppb
National Average
5.79 ppb
State Average
7.02 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
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer18x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY7.25 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.4 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Chloroform
more aboutthis contaminant
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 18 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.4 ppb or less
This Utility
7.25 ppb
National Average
15.5 ppb
State Average
8.88 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
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer90x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY18.1 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.2 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Dichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis 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 90 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.2 ppb or less
This Utility
18.1 ppb
National Average
7.97 ppb
State Average
7.95 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: cancer216x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY21.6 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb
X
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
more aboutthis 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 216 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
21.6 ppb
Legal Limit
60 ppb
National Average
17.1 ppb
State Average
14.4 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
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Potential Effect: cancer30x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.50 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.05 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT5 pCi/L
X
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
more aboutthis 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 30 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.05 pCi/L or less
This Utility
1.5 pCi/L
Legal Limit
5 pCi/L
National Average
0.46 pCi/L
State Average
0.55 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.
Pollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Potential Effect: cancer82x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY12.3 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.15 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT80 ppb
X
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
more aboutthis 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 82 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.15 ppb or less
This Utility
12.3 ppb
Legal Limit
80 ppb
National Average
29.7 ppb
State Average
27.3 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
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer26x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.59 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Trichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis 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 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
2.59 ppb
National Average
6.62 ppb
State Average
2.79 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; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.
† 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:
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 , 2,3-Dichlorobiphenyl , 2,4,5-T , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4,5-Trichlorobiphenyl , 2,4-D , 2,4-DB , 2-Chlorobiphenyl , 2-Hexanone , 22'3'46-Pentachlorobiphenyl , 22'33'44'6-Heptachlorobiphenyl , 22'33'45'66'-Octachlorobiphenyl , 22'44'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl , 22'44'56'-Hexachlorobiphenyl , 3,5-Dichlorobenzoic acid , 3-Hydroxycarbofuran , Acenaphthene , Acenaphthylene , Acetone , Acifluorfen (Blazer) , Acrylonitrile , Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldicarb , Aldicarb sulfone , Aldicarb sulfoxide , Aldrin , alpha-Chlordane , Aluminum , Anthracene , Antimony , Baygon (Propoxur) , Bentazon (Basagran) , Benzo[a]anthracene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Benzo[b]fluoranthene , Benzo[g,h,i]perylene , Benzo[k]fluoranthene , Beryllium , Bromacil , Bromobenzene , Bromochloromethane , Bromomethane , Butachlor , Butyl benzyl phthalate , Cadmium , Carbaryl , Carbofuran , Carbon tetrachloride , Chloramben , Chlordane , Chloroethane , Chloromethane , Chromium (total) , Chrysene , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Combined uranium , Dalapon , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di-n-butyl phthalate , Dibenz[a,h]anthracene , Dibromoacetic acid , Dibromochloromethane , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dichlorprop , Dieldrin , Diethyl phthalate , Dimethyl phthalate , Dinoseb , Endrin , Ethyl methacrylate , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Fluorene , gamma-Chlordane , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene , 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 , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , Oxamyl (Vydate) , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Pentachlorophenol , Phenanthrene , Picloram , Prometon , Propachlor , Pyrene , Quinclorac , sec-Butylbenzene , Selenium , Silver , Styrene , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Tetrahydrofuran , Thallium , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , trans-Nonachlor , Trichloroethylene , Trichlorofluoromethane , Trifluralin , Vinyl acetate , Vinyl chloride
Harris County Municipal Utility District 368 compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, Harris County Municipal Utility District 368complied with health-based drinking water standards.
Information in this section on Harris County Municipal Utility District 368 comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
Water Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
| CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
| Arsenic | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Atrazine | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Radium, combined (-226 & -228) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
| 2-Methylbutane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Barium | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Benzene | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromoform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Butane | |||
| Cyanide | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cyclohexane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Fluoride | ✔ | ||
| Hexadecanoic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Isobutane | |||
| Manganese | ✔ | ||
| Methylcyclohexane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Monochloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nitrate | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nitrate & nitrite | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nitrite | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Octadecanoic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Simazine | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Toluene | ✔ | ✔ | |
| 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
