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A Homeowner’s Guide to Water Contaminants

What They Are and Why Some Families Choose Extra Filtration

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

  • Nickname: “Forever chemicals”
  • What: Man-made chemicals used in nonstick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foam
  • Why they matter: Don’t break down in environment or human body; accumulate over time
  • EPA status: New federal limits coming in 2026
  • How to reduce: Reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration

Hexavalent Chromium (Chromium-6)

  • What: Industrial chemical used in steel manufacturing, chrome plating
  • Why it matters: Different from beneficial Chromium-3 (nutrient); linked to long-term health
    concerns
  • EPA status: No enforceable federal limit yet (under review)
  • How to reduce: Reverse osmosis

HAAs (Haloacetic Acids)

  • What: Byproduct formed when chlorine (water disinfectant) reacts with organic matter
  • Why they matter: Long-term exposure at high levels may pose health risks
  • EPA status: Legal limit is 60 ppb (all Moore County systems comply)
  • EWG guideline: 0.1 ppb (much stricter than EPA)
  • How to reduce: Activated carbon, reverse osmosis

TTHMs (Total Trihalomethanes)

  • Includes: Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, bromoform
  • What: Another chlorine disinfection byproduct
  • Why they matter: Some (like chloroform) are volatile and can be inhaled during showers
  • EPA status: Legal limit is 80 ppb (all systems comply)
  • EWG guideline: 0.8 ppb (stricter)
  • How to reduce: Whole-house carbon filter, reverse osmosis for drinking water

The Bottom Line:

Your tap water typically meets all federal safety standards. These contaminants are detected at trace
levels within legal limits. However, some families prefer the extra assurance of filtration, especially for
drinking and cooking water.
We’re happy to discuss options with no pressure. Just honest information so you can decide what’s right
for your home.

Questions? Call us: 910-639-5555

SOURCES & REFERENCES

1. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-information-system-sdwis-federal-reporting

2. CDC – Community Water Treatment. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/public/water_treatment.html

3. EWG Tap Water Database Methodology. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ewg-standards.php
Note: EWG uses health-based guidelines (MCLGs – Maximum Contaminant Level Goals) which are often
stricter than enforceable EPA limits (MCLs – Maximum Contaminant Levels). Legal compliance is
based on MCLs.

4. EWG Tap Water Database – Moore County, NC.

– Pinehurst: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=NC0363108
– Southern Pines:https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=NC0467010
– Carthage: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=NC0467020
– Aberdeen: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=NC0467030

5. EPA PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation.

https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas

Final rule establishes enforceable limits for PFOA and PFOS (4 ppt each). Systems must comply by 2029.

6. EPA Chromium in Drinking Water. https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/chromium-drinking-water
EPA currently regulates total chromium (100 ppb), not hexavalent chromium specifically. Review
ongoing.

7. EPA Disinfection Byproducts. https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/stage-1-and-stage-2-disinfectants-and-disinfection-byproducts-rules Stage 2 DBP Rule limits: TTHMs ≤80 ppb, HAA5 ≤60 ppb (locational running annual average)

8. CDC – Household Water Treatment: Reverse Osmosis. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater /drinking/home-water-treatment/household/water/treatment

9. NSF International – Reverse Osmosis Systems. https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/reverse-osmosis-systems NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certified systems remove 95-99% of dissolved solids and contaminants

10. WQA (Water Quality Association) – Point-of-Use Treatment for PFAS. https://www.wqa.org/learn-about-water/common-contaminants/pfas RO and activated carbon are most effective POU/POE technologies for PFAS reduction

11. EPA PFAS Drinking Water Regulations (Final Rule April 2024). https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas                                                                        First-ever national drinking water standard for PFAS. Systems must test and comply by 2029.

12. California OEHHA – Chromium-6 Public Health Goal. https://oehha.ca.gov/water/public-health-goal/chemicals-public-health-goals-phgs California established 0.02 ppb as health-protective level (non-enforceable goal)

13. American Water Works Association (AWWA) – Disinfection Byproducts. https://www.awwa.org/Policy-Advocacy/AWWA-Policy-Statements/Disinfection-By-Products            Industry guidance on DBP formation and control strategies

14. Water-Right InterFlo® QuadPro Product Information. https://www.water-right.com/products/interflo-quadpro-sst-tankless-reverse-osmosis-system/                                     Manufacturer specifications and certifications for the InterFlo QuadPro reverse osmosis system

All data current as of February 2026. Water quality varies by location and season. For your specific water
test results, contact your local water utility or request our free in-home water test.

The Plumbing Knight Inc. 910-639-5555 | theplumbingknight.com | Licensed & Insured | Veteran-Owned |
Serving Moore County Since 1996

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