EWG's drinking water quality report showsresults of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Washington State Department of Health, as well asinformation from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility Details
- Cheney, Washington
- Serves: 10,700
- Data available: 2014-2019
- Source: Groundwater
Contaminants Detected
9
EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES
15 Total Contaminants
- Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
- Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
- The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.
Looking for a countertop water filter?
Find out which filters earned EWG's recommendation
Contaminants Detected
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer27x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.62 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Bromodichloromethane
Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromodichloromethane was found at 27 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.06 ppb or less
This Utility
1.62 ppb
National Average
5.79 ppb
State Average
1.82 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer10x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY4.13 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.4 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Chloroform
Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Chloroform was found at 10 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.4 ppb or less
This Utility
4.13 ppb
National Average
15.5 ppb
State Average
16 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer11x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.11 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Dibromochloromethane
Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dibromochloromethane was found at 11 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
1.11 ppb
National Average
3.29 ppb
State Average
0.634 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer3.5x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.701 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.2 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Dichloroacetic acid
Dichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dichloroacetic acid was found at 3.5 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.2 ppb or less
This Utility
0.701 ppb
National Average
7.97 ppb
State Average
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†
Potential Effect: cancer20x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.99 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb
X
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 20 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
1.99 ppb
Legal Limit
60 ppb
National Average
17.1 ppb
State Average
15.3 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†
Potential Effect: cancer37x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY2.23 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 37 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.06 ppb or less
This Utility
2.23 ppb
National Average
23.7 ppb
State Average
17.2 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2021.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Potential Effect: cancer20x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.00 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.05 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT5 pCi/L
X
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations.
Radium, combined (-226 & -228) was found at 20 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.05 pCi/L or less
This Utility
1 pCi/L
Legal Limit
5 pCi/L
National Average
0.46 pCi/L
State Average
0.08 pCi/L
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2014-2019.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
Health Risks
EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Potential Effect: cancer52x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY7.74 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.15 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT80 ppb
X
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 52 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.15 ppb or less
This Utility
7.74 ppb
Legal Limit
80 ppb
National Average
29.7 ppb
State Average
19.2 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer13x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.28 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
X
Trichloroacetic acid
Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Trichloroacetic acid was found at 13 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
0.1 ppb or less
This Utility
1.28 ppb
National Average
6.62 ppb
State Average
8.76 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) program in 2017 to 2020 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.
† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.
X
Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
700 ppb or less
This Utility
49.6 ppb
Legal Limit
2,000 ppb
National Average
41.5 ppb
State Average
9.99 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.
Pollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
X
Bromoform
Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
0.5 ppb or less
This Utility
0.0455 ppb
National Average
1.32 ppb
State Average
0.293 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
X
Dibromoacetic acid
Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
0.04 ppb or less
This Utility
0.0165 ppb
National Average
1.1 ppb
State Average
0.116 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
X
Fluoride
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems.
How your levels compare
This Utility
0.43 ppm
Legal Limit
4 ppm
National Average
0.489 ppm
State Average
0.265 ppm
NO EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppm = parts per million
Pollution Sources
Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
X
Manganese
Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
100 ppb or less
This Utility
44.1 ppb
National Average
10.1 ppb
State Average
11.6 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.
Pollution Sources
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Ion Exchange
X
Nitrate
Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
0.14 ppm or less
This Utility
0.114 ppm
Legal Limit
10 ppm
National Average
0.935 ppm
State Average
0.879 ppm
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppm = parts per million
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.
Pollution Sources
Agriculture
Runoff & Sprawl
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authori.
Other Contaminants Tested
✕
Chemicals tested for but not detected from 2014 to 2019:
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,1-Trichloroethane , 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane , 1,1,2-Trichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethane , 1,1-Dichloroethylene , 1,1-Dichloropropene , 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,3-Trichloropropane , 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene , 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene , 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) , 1,2-Dichloroethane , 1,2-Dichloropropane , 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene , 1,3-Dichloropropane , 1,3-Dichloropropene , 1-butanol , 2,2-Dichloropropane , 2,4,5-T , 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) , 2,4-D , 2,4-DB , 2-methoxyethanol , 2-propen-1-ol , 4,4'-dde , 4-Nitrophenol , Acenaphthene , Acenaphthylene , Acifluorfen (Blazer) , Alachlor (Lasso) , Aldrin , Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane , Anthracene , Antimony , Arsenic , Atrazine , Bentazon (Basagran) , Benzene , Benzoic acid , Benzo[a]anthracene , Benzo[a]pyrene , Benzo[b]fluoranthene , Benzo[g,h,i]perylene , Benzo[k]fluoranthene , Beryllium , Bromacil , Bromobenzene , Bromochloroacetic acid , Bromochloromethane , Bromomethane , Butachlor , Butyl benzyl phthalate , Butylated hydroxyanisole , Cadmium , Carbon tetrachloride , Chloramben , Chlordane , Chloroethane , Chloromethane , Chlorpyriphos , Chromium (total) , Chrysene , cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene , cis-1,3-Dichloropropene , Cyanazine (Bladex) , Cyanide , Dacthal , Dalapon , DCPA di-acid degradate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate , Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , Di-n-butyl phthalate , Diazinon (Spectracide) , Dibenz[a,h]anthracene , Dibromomethane , Dicamba , Dichlorodifluoromethane , Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) , Dichlorprop , Dieldrin , Diethyl phthalate , Dimethipin , Dimethyl phthalate , Dinoseb , Endrin , EPTC (Eptam) , Ethoprop , Ethylbenzene , Ethylene dibromide , Fluorene , Germanium , Heptachlor , Heptachlor epoxide , Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) , Hexachlorobutadiene , Hexachlorocyclopentadiene , Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene , Isopropylbenzene , Lindane , m-Dichlorobenzene , Malathion , Mercury (inorganic) , Methoxychlor , Metolachlor , Metribuzin , Molinate , Monobromoacetic acid , Monochloroacetic acid , Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) , n-Butylbenzene , n-Propylbenzene , Naphthalene , Nitrate & nitrite , Nitrite , o-Chlorotoluene , o-Dichlorobenzene , o-toluidine , Oxyflurofen , p-Chlorotoluene , p-Dichlorobenzene , p-Isopropyltoluene , Para-para DDT , Pentachlorophenol , Permethrin , Phenanthrene , Picloram , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) , Profenofos , Prometon , Propachlor , Pyrene , Quinoline , sec-Butylbenzene , Selenium , Silver , Simazine , Styrene , Tebuconazole , Terbacil , tert-Butylbenzene , Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) , Thallium , Toluene , Toxaphene , trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene , trans-1,3-Dichloropropene , Tribufos , Trichloroethylene , Trichlorofluoromethane , Trifluralin , Vinyl chloride , Xylenes (total)
Cheney, City of compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, Cheney, City ofcomplied with health-based drinking water standards.
Information in this section on Cheney, City of comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
Water Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
| Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
| CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
| Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Radium, combined (-226 & -228) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Trichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
| Barium | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bromoform | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dibromoacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Fluoride | ✔ | ||
| Manganese | ✔ | ||
| Nitrate | ✔ | ✔ | |
Take Action
Contact Your Local Official
One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.
Filter Out Contaminants
Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.
