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Contaminant guide

Benzo(A)Pyrene in drinking water

The EPA limit for Benzo(A)Pyrene in drinking water is 0.2000 µg/L. Of the 24,703 water suppliers tested, 184 had it detected.

0.2000 µg/L
EPA limit (MCL)
0.7%
of suppliers detected it
(184/24,703)

What Benzo(A)Pyrene is, and why it's regulated

Benzo(a)pyrene comes from coal tar pipe linings and combustion; it is a probable carcinogen.

What the EPA limit means

⚖️

0.2000 µg/L

Maximum Contaminant Level — the enforceable ceiling a supplier must stay under.

🎯

0.0 µg/L

Health goal (MCLG) — the level with no known health effect. It is a goal, not a legal limit, and is often zero for carcinogens.

🧪

SYR4

Where these measurements come from. Hover the tag for the EPA programme and years.

Where Benzo(A)Pyrene was found

The water suppliers reporting the highest levels, worst first.

SupplierCityStateLevel vs EPA limit
Wolbach, Village of Wolbach NE
3.47 µg/L 1735%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Loomis, Village of Loomis NE
3.29 µg/L 1645%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
North Point Johnson Lake Elwood NE
3.23 µg/L 1615%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Tri Cnty Jt Muni Auth — PA
3.03 µg/L 1515%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Wayne Water Districts Goldsboro NC
1 µg/L 500%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Lakeview Acres Lot Owners Lexington NE
0.9550 µg/L 477%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Derby Center Water System Derby VT
0.6000 µg/L 300%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Highridge Water Auth Blairsville PA
0.5600 µg/L 280%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Craven County Water System New Bern NC
0.4100 µg/L 205%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Harris County Mud 53 Houston TX
0.4000 µg/L 200%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Robeson County Water System Maxton NC
0.3000 µg/L 150%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Camden Water & Sewer Department Camden AL
0.3000 µg/L 150%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
East Hempfield Water Auth Landisville PA
0.2500 µg/L 125%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Bayleaf Master Raleigh NC
0.2300 µg/L 115%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Pike Twp Municipal Authority Curwensville PA
0.2200 µg/L 110%
of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 0.2000 µg/L
Powhatan Point Public Water System Powhatan Point OH
0.2000 µg/L 100%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Newport-City of Portsmouth RI
0.2000 µg/L 100%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Kreamer Mun Auth Kreamer PA
0.1800 µg/L 90%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Aurora Aurora IL
0.1800 µg/L 90%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Blocker Crossroads Wsc Elysian Fields TX
0.1800 µg/L 90%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Northern Cambria Muni Water Northern Cambria PA
0.1600 µg/L 80%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Colchester Commons Colchester CT
0.1600 µg/L 80%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Desales University Center Valley PA
0.1500 µg/L 75%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Sonoma County Water Agency Santa Rosa CA
0.1500 µg/L 75%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L
Love Creek Mhc Lewes DE
0.1500 µg/L 75%
of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L

Frequently asked questions about Benzo(A)Pyrene

What is Benzo(A)Pyrene in drinking water?

Benzo(a)pyrene comes from coal tar pipe linings and combustion; it is a probable carcinogen.

What is the EPA limit for Benzo(A)Pyrene?

The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level for Benzo(A)Pyrene is 0.2000 µg/L, and its health goal (MCLG) is 0.0 µg/L. A result above the limit means the supplier must act; the goal is the level at which no health effects are expected.

How common is Benzo(A)Pyrene in US tap water?

Of the 24,703 water suppliers with results on file, 184 detected Benzo(A)Pyrene — 0.7% of those tested.