Mercury in Your Water

Mercury in your drinking water poses a threat to your health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the current standard for mercury in drinking water at 2 parts per billion (ppb). The amount of mercury in public water systems is regulated according to EPA standards. If your water comes from a public system, it is routinely tested to ensure safe mercury levels. However, if you are concerned about mercury levels in your municipal water supply, you should request a consumer confidence report from your water provider or visit EPA’s site at www.epa.gov/ccr. Unlike users of public water systems, those who use private water supplies (such as wells, springs, and cisterns) are responsible for ensuring the quality of their own drinking water. Since private systems are more susceptible to mercury than public water systems, private well owners should take steps to guard their health. Measures include routine testing and wellhead maintenance and protection.