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WaterSafety

Combined Filter Effluent in Drinking Water

Physical · MCL: 1 NTU · 0 systems exceeding limit

Overview

Combined Filter Effluent is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act with an MCL of 1 NTU. The EPA Safe Drinking Water program sets and enforces the maximum contaminant levels shown here.

Health Effects

Exposure to Combined Filter Effluent above the MCL of 1 NTU may cause adverse health effects. Consult EPA fact sheets for detailed information.

Sources of Contamination

Combined Filter Effluent can enter drinking water from natural deposits, industrial discharges, or other sources.

Treatment & Removal

Treatment methods for Combined Filter Effluent include activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and specialized media.

How to Remove Combined Filter Effluent From Water

These filtration methods are effective for reducing Combined Filter Effluent in drinking water:

Filter MethodEffectivenessCost RangeCertification
Reverse Osmosis (RO)High (varies)$200-500 (under-sink)NSF/ANSI 58
Activated Carbon BlockModerate (varies)$30-100 (pitcher/faucet)NSF/ANSI 53
Reverse Osmosis (RO), details

Reverse osmosis is effective against most dissolved contaminants. Check specific certifications for this contaminant.

Activated Carbon Block, details

Effectiveness varies by contaminant. Look for filters specifically certified for this substance.

Water Systems with Combined Filter Effluent Detected

Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

2,746,388 people
C

Cleveland Public Water System

Cleveland, Ohio

1,308,955 people
C

Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack

Haworth, New Jersey

792,713 people1 violation
C

Boston Water and Sewer Commission (mwra)

Boston, Massachusetts

675,647 people1 violation
B

Milwaukee Waterworks

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

626,000 people
A

Central Alabama Water System

Birmingham, Alabama

585,000 people
B

Mcwa

Rochester, New York

496,753 people1 violation
B

Mesa City Of

Mesa, Arizona

466,000 people
C

Regional Water Authority

New Haven, Connecticut

418,900 people
B

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

St. Paul, Minnesota

392,529 people
C

Metropolitan District Commission

Hartford, Connecticut

390,887 people
A

Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County

Shelton, Connecticut

351,756 people
C

Loudoun Water - Central System

Ashburn, Virginia

334,808 people
B

Greensboro, City Of

Greensboro, North Carolina

319,588 people
C

Newark Water Department

Newark, New Jersey

294,274 people22 violations
F

Glen Burnie-Broadneck

Millersville, Maryland

290,606 people1 violation
D

Howard County D.p.w. Distribution

Columbia, Maryland

286,158 people
B

Buffalo Water Authority

Buffalo, New York

276,000 people
B

Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant

Fort Wayne, Indiana

269,994 people3 violations
F

Nj American Water - Western

Delran, New Jersey

264,586 people
C

Jersey City Mua

Hoboken, New Jersey

262,000 people1 violation
C

City of Garland

Garland, Texas

248,822 people
B

Thornton City Of

Thornton, Colorado

226,465 people
C

Liberty Utilities New York - Lynbrook

Merrick, New York

220,000 people6 violations
F

Rochester City

Rochester, New York

214,000 people1 violation
B

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo, Michigan

192,992 people4 violations
F

City of Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi

189,673 people100 violations
F

City of Columbia Utilities

Columbia, Missouri

126,254 people
B

Granger-Hunter Improvement District

Salt Lake City, Utah

121,083 people
B

Aquarion-Stamford

Shelton, Connecticut

119,214 people
B

Lowell Regional Water Utility

Lowell, Massachusetts

115,000 people3 violations
F

Green Bay Waterworks

Green Bay, Wisconsin

107,369 people
B

Waterbury Water Department

Waterbury, Connecticut

107,271 people
C

Medford Water Commission

Medford, Oregon

106,068 people
B

Santa Fe Water System (city Of)

Santa Fe, New Mexico

90,810 people1 violation
D

Brooklyn Park

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

89,995 people
B

Cicero

Cicero, Illinois

83,000 people1 violation
C

City of Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

43,449 people
B

Berkeley County Pswd-Potomac River

Martinsburg, West Virginia

34,786 people
C

Frequently Asked Questions

Combined Filter Effluent has been detected in 0 water systems that exceed the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 1 NTU, affecting approximately 0 people. Check your local water system's annual Consumer Confidence Report or search by ZIP code on this site.

Exposure to Combined Filter Effluent above the MCL of 1 NTU may cause adverse health effects. Consult EPA fact sheets for detailed information.

Effective filtration methods for Combined Filter Effluent include Reverse Osmosis (RO), Activated Carbon Block. Look for filters certified to NSF/ANSI standards for Combined Filter Effluent removal. See the detailed comparison table above for effectiveness ratings and cost ranges.

The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Combined Filter Effluent is 1 NTU. The MCL Goal (MCLG), the level with no known health risk, is 0 NTU. Water systems must test regularly and notify customers if levels exceed the MCL.