This system was not included in federal PFAS monitoring
FYI▾
Should I be concerned?
This system serves fewer than 3,300 people and was not required to participate in EPA UCMR5 testing. Absence of data is not the same as absence of contamination.
Lead risk depends on your home, not just the water system
94% lead or unknown lines
Act soon▾
The concern isn't usually the treatment plant — it's pipes inside older homes. No level is considered safe for children under 6.
Should I be worried?
Not necessarily — but if your home was built before 1986, it's worth checking whether you have lead pipes or solder. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking in the morning.
Range: 0.0051 to 0.0085 mg/L across 23 samples (Jul 2024 to May 2026).
What is it?
A naturally occurring element found in rock and soil. Gets into drinking water through erosion of natural deposits or runoff from industrial and agricultural sources.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure is linked to increased risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancer. There is no safe level for arsenic — the MCL of 10 µg/L balances health protection with treatment feasibility.
What to do
If your water is near or above the limit, a reverse osmosis filter certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes over 90% of arsenic. Point-of-use filters at the kitchen tap are effective and affordable.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found congenital heart defects including atrial septal defects at concentrations as low as 0.0005 mg/L — 20x below the US federal limit.
Range: 0.0007 to 0.00228 mg/L across 4 samples (Jun to Jul 2025).
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Lead & copper — tested at your tap
Copper▸
0.154 mg/L · Aug 2025
Action levellegally enforceable
Sample history
Range: 0.055 to 0.2 mg/L across 5 samples (Aug 2025).
What is it?
Leaches from copper household plumbing and pipes. Some copper is a normal part of drinking water infrastructure.
Why it matters
Short-term exposure above the action level of 1.3 mg/L can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. At typical detected levels (well below the AL), copper is not a health concern.
What to do
If above the action level, run your tap for 30 seconds before drinking. Copper levels decrease as water flows through the pipes.
Disinfection byproducts
TCAA▸
10.7 µg/L · Oct 2025
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
Sample history
Range: 10.11 to 10.68 µg/L across 2 samples (Oct 1, 2025).
What is it?
A haloacetic acid formed during chlorine disinfection of source water containing organic matter. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5.
Why it matters
EPA sets the MCLG at 0.02 mg/L based on liver effects observed in animal studies. Classified as suggestive but not yet established as a human carcinogen. Regulated as part of the HAA5 group (60 µg/L).
What to do
Like other HAAs, TCAA is reduced by carbon-block filtration at point-of-use (NSF/ANSI 53 certified for VOCs). Reducing the parent organic load — through utility-side treatment changes — is the more effective approach at scale.
DCAA▸
4.98 µg/L · Oct 2025
Sample history
Range: 4.42 to 4.98 µg/L across 2 samples (Oct 1, 2025).
What is it?
A haloacetic acid formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter during disinfection. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5 (limit: 60 µg/L).
Why it matters
EPA classifies DCAA as a likely human carcinogen and sets the MCLG at zero. Animal studies show liver, neurological, and reproductive effects, and developmental concerns have been raised at high prenatal exposures. The HAA5 group limit reflects feasibility, not the MCLG.
What to do
DCAA forms in your utility's treatment process. Point-of-use carbon-block filters certified for VOC reduction (NSF/ANSI 53) can reduce HAAs. Running cold tap water briefly before drinking helps clear water that has sat in pipes where DBPs continue to form.
HAA6Br▸
15.7 µg/L · Oct 2025
Sample history
Range: 14.53 to 15.66 µg/L across 2 samples (Oct 1, 2025).
What is it?
Another group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. HAA5 measures the five most common species.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 60 µg/L (0.060 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk. Like THMs, the MCL is based on a running annual average.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce HAA5. If your system consistently approaches the limit, a reverse osmosis filter provides more complete removal.
Chloroform▸
9.62 µg/L · Apr 2026
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
Sample history
Range: 9.62 to 16.14 µg/L across 7 samples (Jun 2025 to Apr 2026).
What is it?
A disinfection byproduct formed when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. The most common of the four trihalomethanes.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure has been associated with increased risk of bladder cancer and possibly colorectal cancer. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen and sets an MCLG of 0.07 mg/L based on liver effects. Regulated together with three other trihalomethanes under the TTHM standard (80 µg/L).
What to do
Chloroform levels are largely a function of how your utility manages disinfection. If TTHM is approaching the limit, a carbon-block filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified for VOCs or specifically for trihalomethanes) at point-of-use reduces it. Letting cold water run for 30 seconds before drinking can also help, since chloroform forms in the distribution system.
DBCM▸
0.56 µg/L · Apr 2026
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
Sample history
Range: 0.52 to 0.9 µg/L across 7 samples (Jun 2025 to Apr 2026).
What is it?
A brominated trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with bromide-containing organic matter. More common in source waters with higher bromide levels — often coastal or groundwater systems.
Why it matters
EPA sets the MCLG at 0.06 mg/L based on liver and kidney effects. Some evidence suggests DBCM may be carcinogenic, though the data is less clear than for BDCM and bromoform. Regulated together with the other three trihalomethanes under TTHM.
What to do
Like other THMs, DBCM forms in the distribution system as chlorine reacts over time. A point-of-use carbon-block filter (NSF/ANSI 53) reduces it along with related compounds.
BDCM▸
1.72 µg/L · Apr 2026
Sample history
Range: 1.72 to 2.87 µg/L across 7 samples (Jun 2025 to Apr 2026).
What is it?
A brominated trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter and bromide in source water. One of four trihalomethanes regulated together under TTHM.
Why it matters
EPA classifies BDCM as a probable human carcinogen and sets the MCLG at zero, meaning the agency identifies no safe lifetime exposure level. Studies link it to bladder and colon cancer, and to reproductive and developmental effects at high exposures. The enforceable limit (80 µg/L for total TTHM) reflects what's feasible to achieve, not what's safest.
What to do
BDCM is formed in your utility's system, so reducing it generally means reducing total disinfection byproducts there. At point-of-use, a carbon-block filter certified for VOCs or trihalomethanes (NSF/ANSI 53) reduces BDCM along with other THMs.
TTHM▸
15.9 µg/L · Apr 2026
MCLlegally enforceable
Sample history
Range: 11.9 to 19.3 µg/L across 7 samples (Jun 2025 to Apr 2026).
Compliance for TTHM is calculated as a locational running annual average (LRAA), not single samples. This system's LRAA was 15.86 µg/L, within the 80 µg/L MCL.
What is it?
Formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Includes chloroform, bromoform, and related compounds. The trade-off: disinfection prevents waterborne disease, but creates these byproducts.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 80 µg/L (0.080 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk and possible reproductive effects. The MCL is based on a running annual average, not a single sample.
What to do
If your system is near or above the limit, an activated carbon filter (including pitcher filters like Brita) can reduce THMs. Running water for a minute before drinking also helps, as THMs are volatile and dissipate.
OTHER
O- XYLENE (MCL FOR TOTAL)▸
1.48 ug/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Do you have or use a private well? Measured concentrations from nearby private wells sampled within 5 miles.
Details ↓
1 site within 10 mi
Nearby Superfund Sites
1 EPA Superfund site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily mean your water is affected.
Details ↓
3 wells
Water Sources
Puyallup pumps water from three groundwater wells drawing from local groundwater. Emergency backup sources are available if primary supplies are disrupted.