Toxic Chemicals Found in Washington, D.C. Tap Water
by Trey Granger
Published on July 25th, 2007
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The Environment News Service reports that Washington, D.C. tap water has shown toxic chemical levels above federal health limits, including water in the U.S. Capitol. Of the water sampled from 18 locations throughout the city, over 40% contained increased levels of chemical byproducts total trihalomethanes, or THMs, and haloacetic acids, or HAAs.
“The HAAs were found at their highest levels since 2001, the last year before the District of Columbia’s public water system, the Washington Aqueduct, modified its treatment techniques to reduce levels of THMs.”
The chemicals are reportedly due to treatment measures used to purify water in the Potomac River. The Catch-22 here is that the water utility companies are treating the water with chemicals to kill off harmful bacteria and pathogens, but the by-products of these chemicals are potentially contaminating the water anyway.
Until the problem is solved, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends that D.C. and Northern Virginia residents use carbon filters for their tap water to significantly reduce the contaminants. The EWG says the problem should continue until the Potomac River is adequately cleaned up.
