A Closer Look at EPA Limits for Endocrine Disruptors in Drinking Water

In this article, we’ll look at the EPA’s current regulations for common endocrine disruptors in drinking water. For a more complete picture of the risks and ways you can protect your water, read our guide to endocrine disruptors.

Water is an essential part of our everyday lives, from morning coffee to doing laundry, showering and staying hydrated after a workout. When our water contains impurities, we may not always taste them — but they’re there and can affect our health and home over time.

Our endocrine (hormone) system plays an especially important role, regulating our metabolism, growth and development, mood and much more. Even small changes to hormones can cause lasting, significant impacts.

Chemicals which block, mimic or interfere with our hormones are called endocrine disruptors, or EDCs. They’re found in food packaging, consumer goods, cosmetics and water, among other sources. Chronic exposure to EDCs, even at low levels, has been linked with thyroid disorders, diabetes, obesity, reproductive issues and certain cancers.

EPA Regulations for Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Drinking Water

The EPA currently regulates many endocrine-disrupting chemicals in your drinking water, as part of its National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. These Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are legally enforceable standards for all public water systems to protect public health.

For people on well water, your health could be at risk from contaminated water without installing water treatment. Well water is not federally regulated, unless you are on a community well that meets public water system requirements. It is up to the well owner to check water quality.

Checking Your Local Water Quality Report

Water utilities will publish an annual water quality report, called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which you can check to see what’s in your local tap water. CCR results can’t factor in unique conditions of your home’s water, like plumbing conditions or possible localized contamination, and may not include every endocrine-disrupting chemical.

Schedule a professional water test with Kinetico for the most accurate, real-time measure of your water’s quality.

The charts below show EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and health-based recommendations for common endocrine disruptors in drinking water.

We’ve included health-based recommendations because EPA limits are nationwide compliance standards — levels utilities can reliably monitor and meet across thousands of water systems. They’re designed for public safety, but aren’t the most protective for your long-term health.

PFAS Limits in Drinking Water

Contaminant	EPA Limit (MCL)	EPA Health-Based Recommendation (MCLG)
PFOA	4.0 parts per trillion (ppt)	Zero
PFOS	4.0 ppt	Zero
PFHxS	10 ppt	10 ppt
PFNA	10 ppt	10 ppt
HFPO-DA (GenX)	10 ppt	10 ppt
Mixtures containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA; PFBS	Hazard Index = 1 (unitless)	10 ppt

There are over 14,000 types of forever chemicals. The EPA regulates only six PFAS in drinking water following 2024 updated standards, with limits being reconsidered and monitored throughout 2025 and 2026, going into effect starting in 2029.

It’s important to keep cumulative PFAS exposure levels in mind, given the sheer volume of chemicals and their serious health impacts. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has proposed a 1 ppt limit for all PFAS in drinking water for optimal long-term health.

Reverse osmosis purification offers one of the best ways to remove PFAS and other synthetic compounds, VOCs, metals and dissolved solids from your water.

Plastics, Synthetic Compounds and Pesticides: Drinking Water Limits

Below are EPA drinking water regulations for a few of the most common plastic-associated chemicals and synthetic organic compounds (SOCs), including pesticides.

In some cases, the health-based guidelines from the EWG are drastically lower, highlighting the need to test and treat your tap water to better protect your health.

Contaminant	EPA Limit (MCL)	Health-Based Guideline (EWG)
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)	6 parts per billion (ppb)	3 ppb
BPA	No federal MCL	Unlisted
Atrazine (herbicide)	3 ppb	0.1 ppb
Glyphosate (herbicide)	700 ppb	5 ppb
2,4-D (herbicide)	70 ppb	20 ppb

Health-based guidelines (not legally enforceable) via the Environmental Working Group drinking water standards, representing the maximum concentration of a contaminant scientists consider safe. EPA Limits represent the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for public drinking water.

Disinfection Byproducts, VOCs and Metals: Drinking Water Limits

Lead, mercury, disinfection chemical byproducts and VOCs are hazardous chemicals that may not be easily tasted in water, making water testing crucial for your home’s water quality.

Contaminant	EPA Limit (MCL)	Health-Based Guideline (EWG)
TTHMs (disinfection byproducts; group)	80 parts per billion (ppb)	0.15 ppb
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (disinfection byproducts)	60 ppb	0.1 ppb
Benzene (VOC)	5 ppb	0.15 ppb
Trichloroethylene (VOC)	5 ppb	0.4 ppb
Toluene (VOC)	1,000 ppb	150 ppb
Lead	Action Level Requirement	0.2 ppb
Mercury (inorganic)	2 ppb	1.2 ppb

The Action Level for lead = 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) for more than 10% of tap water samples, per the NPDWR. Health-based guidelines (not legally enforceable) via the Environmental Working Group drinking water standards, representing the maximum concentration of a contaminant scientists consider safe. EPA Limits represent the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for public drinking water.

Cleaner Water With Kinetico Advanced Water Systems

At Kinetico, we believe that water should be water, without chemicals, pesticides and other harmful contaminants.

Are you still relying on bottled water or pitcher-style filters? Look to professional water treatment for a healthier life, reduced carbon footprint and lower monthly bills, including appliance protection from hardness minerals.

Schedule your free, no obligation water test today to get started.