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CONTAMINANT

Pentachlorophenol

STATES DETECTED

22

serves

1.3 million

utilities detected

141

states detected

0

serves

0

utilities detected

0

Overview

Pentachlorophenol is a carcinogenic chemical used as a wood preservative. It harms developing fetuses, and causes immune suppression and hormone disruption.

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.3 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.3 ppb for pentachlorophenol 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.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 1 ppb

The legal limit for pentachlorophenol, established in 1991, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set.

ppb = parts per billion

National Standard Exists

Health Concerns:

  • Cancer

  • Harm to child development

  • Harm to the immune system

  • Hormone disruption

Want to remove
Pentachlorophenol from your water?

Try these filter technologies:

Activated Carbon, 

Reverse Osmosis, 

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Pentachlorophenol around the Country

UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State Utilities People Served
Louisiana31292,162
North Carolina14196,107
Illinois8174,682
Massachusetts9155,995
Pennsylvania8131,196
South Carolina12126,193
Alabama459,403
Iowa952,185
West Virginia1230,438
Florida1215,609
Arizona213,952
New York713,856
Arkansas212,385
California110,489
Wisconsin28,452
Washington11,555
Nevada11,300
Oklahoma11,212
Idaho11,028
Colorado1800
Minnesota2743
Maryland1120

Utilities with the highest amounts of pentachlorophenol, 2021-2023

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
Utility Location Tests Average level People served
City of KingKing, NC1 of 50.360 ppb23,198
City of Statesville*Statesville, NC1 of 40.300 ppb28,844
Iredell Water Corporation*Statesville, NC1 of 40.300 ppb24,733
Watercrest Estates Mobile Home ParkBarium Spring, NC1 of 40.300 ppb244
St. Martins By The BayBerlin, MD1 of 10.210 ppb120
Alexander County Water District*Hickory, NC2 of 80.178 ppb12,741
City of Hickory*Hickory, NC2 of 80.178 ppb65,707
City of Conover*Conover, NC2 of 80.178 ppb15,540
Longview, Town of*Long View, NC2 of 80.178 ppb5,244
Maiden, Town ofMaiden, NC2 of 80.178 ppb5,275
Catawba, Town ofHickory, NC2 of 80.178 ppb1,181
Brookwood S/dDenver, NC2 of 80.178 ppb46
Southeast Catawba CountyHickory, NC2 of 80.178 ppb3,089
Caldwell County- Addison LaneLenoir, NC2 of 80.178 ppb140
Mille Lacs Island ResortBreezy Point, MN6 of 80.161 ppb600
Rockford*Rockford, IL1 of 200.160 ppb147,051
Green Meadow Estates Of Rockford LlcKnoxville, IL1 of 200.160 ppb250
Goodhue County Coop ElectricZumbrota, MN1 of 50.148 ppb143
City Of Rio VistaRio Vista, CA2 of 50.120 ppb10,489
Municipal Authority SunburySunbury, PA1 of 50.112 ppb11,043
Holly, Town ofHolly, CO1 of 100.0860 ppb800
Woodside Mobile Home ParkSchnecksville, PA1 of 30.0800 ppb130
Guthrie Center Municipal Water WorkGuthrie Center, IA1 of 10.0690 ppb1,593
Pints Water AssociationIndependence, IA1 of 10.0660 ppb96
Elkhart Water SupplyAnkeny, IA1 of 10.0630 ppb882
Ottumwa Water Works*Ottumwa, IA1 of 10.0630 ppb25,529
Leisure Living Manf Home CommunityOttumwa, IA1 of 10.0630 ppb150
Calmar Water SupplyCalmar, IA1 of 10.0610 ppb1,125
Montezuma Municipal Water Supply*Montezuma, IA1 of 10.0570 ppb1,545
Ponderosa Utilities Inc.Montezuma, IA1 of 10.0570 ppb1,700
Consolidated Irrigation District 14*Walla Walla, WA1 of 80.0550 ppb1,555
Black Mountain, Town ofBlack Mountain, NC1 of 40.0528 ppb10,125
Bowler WaterworksBowler, WI1 of 30.0500 ppb302
Soundings Yacht & Tennis ClubHobe Sound, FL1 of 10.0400 ppb450
Villa MargaretOkeechobee, FL1 of 10.0400 ppb132
Chapman's M.h.p.Lakeland, FL1 of 60.0383 ppb180
Indian River Shores Mobile Home ParkMicco, FL1 of 10.0380 ppb55
Hillcrest Estates, Inc.Zephyrhills, FL1 of 10.0380 ppb130
Bloomville Water DistrictBloomville, NY1 of 30.0367 ppb220
Pine Meadow Mobile Home ParkBrooklyn, NY1 of 30.0333 ppb100
Town Of AstatulaAstatula, FL1 of 40.0325 ppb1,937
St. Landry Water Works District 2 Rural*Sunset, LA2 of 20.0310 ppb4,761
Hudson Water SupplyHudson, MA2 of 20.0285 ppb18,406
Albertville Utilities Board*Albertville, AL2 of 40.0273 ppb29,367
Boaz Water and Sewer Board*Boaz, AL2 of 40.0273 ppb14,661
Concord Water SystemMarion, LA1 of 20.0230 ppb414
Marion Water System*Marion, LA1 of 20.0230 ppb1,098
Quaker View Mobile Home ParkLansdale, PA1 of 60.0217 ppb60
MaysvilleMaysville, OK1 of 30.0200 ppb1,212
Nashville Rural Water AssociationNashville, AR1 of 90.0189 ppb7,291

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Pentachlorophenol, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
City of KingKing, NC1 of 50.360 ppb23,198
Iredell Water Corporation*Statesville, NC1 of 40.300 ppb24,733
City of Statesville*Statesville, NC1 of 40.300 ppb28,844
City of Conover*Conover, NC2 of 80.178 ppb15,540
City of Hickory*Hickory, NC2 of 80.178 ppb65,707
Alexander County Water District*Hickory, NC2 of 80.178 ppb12,741
Rockford*Rockford, IL1 of 200.160 ppb147,051
City Of Rio VistaRio Vista, CA2 of 50.120 ppb10,489
Municipal Authority SunburySunbury, PA1 of 50.112 ppb11,043
Ottumwa Water Works*Ottumwa, IA1 of 10.0630 ppb25,529
Black Mountain, Town ofBlack Mountain, NC1 of 40.0528 ppb10,125
Hudson Water SupplyHudson, MA2 of 20.0285 ppb18,406
Albertville Utilities Board*Albertville, AL2 of 40.0273 ppb29,367
Boaz Water and Sewer Board*Boaz, AL2 of 40.0273 ppb14,661
Altoona Water SupplyAltoona, IA1 of 30.0183 ppb19,565
Lehigh County Authority Allentown Division*Allentown, PA1 of 120.0108 ppb118,000
Canton Water Department (MWRA)*Canton, MA1 of 20.00900 ppb21,458
Daleville Water & Sewer BoardDaleville, AL1 of 80.00763 ppb10,014
Holliston Water DepartmentHolliston, MA1 of 80.00588 ppb14,946
Tangipahoa Parish Water District*Hammond, LA3 of 130.00531 ppb59,529
Clemson*Clemson, SC1 of 30.00500 ppb17,953
Hammond WD*Belton, SC1 of 30.00500 ppb14,058
West Anderson WD*Anderson, SC1 of 30.00500 ppb15,563
Electric City Utilities*Anderson, SC1 of 30.00500 ppb38,594
Sunrise SouthwestFort Lauderdale, FL1 of 40.00350 ppb10,750
Shorewood*Shorewood, IL1 of 150.00339 ppb17,495
Yarmouth Water DepartmentWest Yarmouth, MA1 of 170.00300 ppb39,635
Acton Water Supply DistrictActon, MA1 of 70.00286 ppb20,890
Holden Water Division, DPWHolden, MA1 of 100.00270 ppb17,106
Monroe Water System*Monroe, LA1 of 60.00267 ppb57,000
Rapides Parish Waterworks District 3*Tioga, LA1 of 100.00160 ppb19,983
City of Lake Charles Water SystemLake Charles, LA2 of 490.000776 ppb85,000

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Pentachlorophenol, but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

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