Your Tap Water Can Contain Cancer-Causing Contaminants: What You Need to Know
Many Americans trust that their tap water is clean and safe because it meets federal and state regulations. In most cases, public water systems do follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) legal standards. However, what many people don’t realize is that these standards often evaluate one chemical at a time, not the combined effects of multiple contaminants. Over long periods, even low-level exposure to certain substances in drinking water has been linked to increased cancer risk.
This means that while your water may be considered “legal,” it may not always be ideal for long-term health. Fortunately, installing a whole-house water filtration system is one of the most effective ways to protect your drinking water, your family, and your home.
Below are seven of the most concerning contaminants commonly found in U.S. tap water that have been associated with cancer risk:
1. Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil and rock, but it also enters water through mining and industrial activity. Long-term exposure has been linked to cancers of the bladder, lungs, and skin. Arsenic contamination is especially prevalent in parts of California, the Southwest, and the Northeast.
2. Nitrate
Nitrate enters drinking water primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and animal waste. High levels are dangerous for infants and pregnant women and have also been linked to higher cancer risks when consumed over long periods.
3. PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)
PFAS are found in everyday products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, fast food wrappers, and stain-resistant fabrics. These chemicals do not break down easily and can accumulate in the human body. PFAS exposure has been linked to kidney, testicular, and other cancers.
4. Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
Chlorine is commonly added to drinking water to kill bacteria. However, when chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water, it forms disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Long-term exposure to high levels of DBPs has been associated with bladder, liver, kidney, and intestinal cancers.
5. Chromium-6
Chromium-6 gained public attention after the contamination case in Hinkley, California. It is a known carcinogen and remains present in some water systems across the U.S. Long-term exposure has been linked to digestive cancers.
6. 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is an industrial solvent and a byproduct found in some detergents, cosmetics, and food packaging. It is a probable human carcinogen and has been detected in groundwater and municipal water systems.
7. Radionuclides
Radioactive elements such as uranium and radium can occur naturally in groundwater or enter water through mining and industrial processes. Exposure to elevated levels of radiation through drinking water increases the risk of cancer and kidney damage.
Why Filtration Is Your Best Defense
Even when water suppliers meet regulatory standards, that does not guarantee protection from long-term cancer risks. A whole-house filtration system removes contaminants before they reach any tap in your home—protecting not just what you drink, but also the water used for cooking, bathing, and brushing your teeth. It also reduces reliance on bottled water, saving money while minimizing plastic waste.
Filtering your water is a win for your health, your wallet, and the environment.
Contact Superior Water today for your Waterboy Whole House Water Filtration System!!
Main References
World Health Organization (WHO) – Water Quality & Health
https://www.who.int
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Drinking Water Regulations
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water
Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Tap Water Database
https://www.ewg.org/tapwater
National Cancer Institute (NCI) – Drinking Water Contaminants
https://dceg.cancer.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Water-Related Health Effects
https://www.cdc.gov
Contact Superior Water today for your Waterboy Whole House Water Filtration System!!
