Bellingham’s tap water is legal to drink, but the latest testing shows 18 contaminants above health-based guidelines, including PFAS “forever chemicals”.
18 contaminants are above health guidelines, but every one is filterable, and finding out what’s at your tap is free.
These are the results furthest above EWG’s health-based guidelines. “Over” means how many times higher than the guideline the measured level is.
Scary numbers, real solutions. CleanTap matches certified filtration to exactly what’s in Bellingham’s water, PFAS, disinfection byproducts, lead and more. It starts with a free in-home test and a clear report.
Get a Free Water Test →| Contaminant | Measured | Health guideline | Legal limit | Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disinfection byproducts, form when chlorine reacts with organic matter | ||||
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 38.0 ppb | 0.06 ppb | , | 634× |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 59.1 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | 394× |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 30.1 ppb | 0.1 ppb | 60 ppb | 301× |
| Trichloroacetic acid | 18.9 ppb | 0.1 ppb | , | 189× |
| Bromodichloromethane | 9.80 ppb | 0.06 ppb | , | 163× |
| Chloroform | 20.7 ppb | 0.4 ppb | , | 52× |
| Dichloroacetic acid | 9.91 ppb | 0.2 ppb | , | 50× |
| Dibromochloromethane | 3.15 ppb | 0.1 ppb | , | 32× |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 0.734 ppb | 0.03 ppb | , | 24× |
| PFAS, “forever chemicals” that don’t break down and accumulate in the body | ||||
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) | 2.43 ppt | 0.001 ppt | 10 ppt | 2,432× |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | 0.315 ppt | 0.006 ppt | 10 ppt | 53× |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 3.53 ppt | 0.09 ppt | 4 ppt* | 39× |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | 4.43 ppt | 0.3 ppt | 4 ppt* | 15× |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) | 0.0230 ppt | 0.006 ppt | , | 3.8× |
| Metals & other detected contaminants | ||||
| Arsenic | 1.09 ppb | 0.004 ppb | 10 ppb | 273× |
| Chromium (hexavalent) | 0.210 ppb | 0.02 ppb | , | 10× |
| Radium, combined (-226 & -228) | 0.45 pCi/L | 0.05 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | 9× |
| Nitrate | 0.764 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | 5.5× |
Data: Bellingham DPW Water Sewer Division via the EWG Tap Water Database. “Health guideline” = EWG health-based guideline; “Legal limit” = federal maximum (MCL). Legal water can still exceed health guidelines. A free in-home test shows the current levels at your specific tap.
Based on what shows up in the report, here’s what reduces it. We test first, then match a certified system to your results.
Reverse osmosis plus PFAS-selective media proven to reduce the “forever chemicals” found in your report.
Whole-home and under-sink activated-carbon filtration to cut chlorine disinfection byproducts (TTHMs & HAAs).
Specialized media and reverse osmosis matched to the specific contaminants in your water.
A whole-home or drinking-water system gives you filtered water at the tap for a fraction of the cost of bottled, and skips the plastic. We’ll show you the numbers with your free test.
A free in-home test and a clear report, solutions built on your actual water.
Trusted equipment and expert installation, licensed & insured in MA.
You approve the price first. $0-down financing available.
The pros who test your water do the install, no subcontractors.
“Sean and his team were incredibly kind, courteous, and professional, explaining every detail from start to finish.”
“They tested our water, showed us exactly what was in it, and installed a system that made a real difference. No pressure, just honest advice.”
“Responsive, knowledgeable, and straightforward. Highly recommend after interviewing several companies.”
It is legal to drink, it meets federal and state limits, but independent testing compiled by the EWG Tap Water Database found 18 contaminants in Bellingham’s water above EWG’s health-based guidelines, which are stricter than legal limits. Legal limits are set partly on cost and feasibility; health guidelines reflect the level scientists associate with minimal risk. A free in-home test shows exactly what’s at your tap.
The legal limit (MCL) is the enforceable federal maximum. EWG’s health guideline is the level their scientists associate with negligible lifetime risk, and it’s often far lower. A contaminant can be fully legal yet still sit well above the health guideline, which is why the table shows both, plus how many times over the guideline each result is.
PFAS are man-made “forever chemicals” that don’t break down and can accumulate in the body. They’re a growing concern in Massachusetts water. They can’t be boiled off, but reverse osmosis and PFAS-selective filtration media are proven to reduce them significantly. If your report shows PFAS, we’ll size the right system for your home.
It depends on what’s present. Chlorine disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, HAAs) are reduced with activated carbon; PFAS and lead with reverse osmosis and targeted media; hardness, iron and manganese with softening and iron filtration. We test first, then recommend a system matched to your actual results, never a one-size-fits-all package.
Book a free in-home water test. We test your water on the spot, walk you through a clear report, and, only if you need it, recommend the right filtration at an upfront price. No cost, no obligation. Call (781) 630-5449 or book online.
Book a free in-home water test. We’ll test on the spot, hand you a clear report, and, only if you need it, recommend the right filtration at an upfront price.
Book My Free Water Test →