Based on EPA UCMR5 monitoring data, EPA SDWIS federal violations records, and EWG Tap Water Database published findings.
Older distribution infrastructure raises lead concerns in portions of system.
Water source: Surface water (Inland Lake reservoir system)
Water utility: Birmingham Water Works Board
Detected at approximately 1.9 ppt per available EPA data — below the new EPA MCL of 4 ppt but above levels many health researchers consider optimal for lifetime daily consumption. Reverse osmosis filtration is recommended.
The EPA's new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS is 4 ppt, effective 2026. PFAS compounds have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental issues at chronic exposure levels per peer-reviewed research.
The following contaminants have been detected or are associated with elevated risk in this water system, per available EPA and EWG published data:
These detections are drawn from EPA SDWIS federal violations database and EWG Tap Water Database records. EWG health guidelines are stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect long-term exposure risk.
EPA SDWIS records show 3 health-based violation(s) and 1 lead action-level violation(s) in the past 5 years at this utility. Violations reflect the legal threshold; actual health risk at sub-violation levels is addressed by EWG health guidelines used in HAVEN's scoring.
Reverse osmosis filtration is recommended — AquaTru Carafe ($149) or APEC ROES-50 under-sink RO ($250). RO removes 99%+ PFAS, lead, nitrates, arsenic, chromium, and disinfection byproducts in a single system.
Water is one of six categories HAVEN scores. Take the free 3-minute quiz to get your complete Home Health Score — mold, air quality, EMF, household chemicals, and more.
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