Understanding your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
Your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is an annual report from your water utility that lists the contaminants detected in your water. It's required by law for public water systems and must be provided to customers by July 1 each year.
The legal limit set by EPA. Water must not exceed this level. However, some argue MCLs are too lenient for certain contaminants.
The level at which no known health effects occur. Often lower than MCL (and sometimes zero). This is the ideal, not the legal requirement.
Parts per billion and parts per million. 1 ppm = 1,000 ppb. Smaller numbers = less contamination.
Reports show the range of detected levels throughout the year and the average. Look at both—spikes matter even if the average is low.
There's no safe level. MCL is 15 ppb, but any detection is concerning. Lead typically comes from pipes, not the water source, so your home may have more than the report shows.
Many water reports don't test for PFAS yet, even though it's widespread. If not listed, it doesn't mean it's not present. New EPA limits are 4 ppt (parts per trillion) for some PFAS.
Created when chlorine reacts with organic matter. Linked to cancer risk. MCL is 80 ppb for TTHMs, 60 ppb for HAA5.
From agricultural runoff. Dangerous for infants. MCL is 10 ppm.