Water Education - Contaminants Facts

Drinking Water Contaminants - Mercury Page 2

1 | 2

From 1987 to 1993, according to EPAs Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, mercury releases to land and water totaled nearly 68,000 lbs. These releases were primarily from chemical and allied industries. The largest releases occurred in Tennessee and Louisiana. The largest direct releases to water occurred in West Virginia and Alabama.

What happens to Mercury when it is released to the environment?

Mercury is unique among metals in that it can evaporate when released to water or soil. Also, microbes can convert inorganic forms of mercury to organic forms which can be accumulated by aquatic life.

How will Mercury be detected in and removed from my drinking water?

The regulation for mercury became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples once and analyze them to find out if mercury is present above 2 ppb. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months.

If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above the MCL, your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of mercury so that it is consistently below that level. The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing mercury: Coagulation/Filtration; Granular Activated Carbon; Lime softening; Reverse osmosis.

How will I know if Mercury is in my drinking water?

If the levels of mercury exceed the MCL, the system must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.

This is a factsheet about a chemical that may be found in some public or private drinking water supplies. It may cause health problems if found in amounts greater than the health standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Drinking Water Standards:

  • MCLG: 2 ppb
  • MCL: 2 ppb

Mercury Releases to Water and Land, 1987 to 1993 (in pounds):

 WaterLand
TOTALS6,97160,877
Top Six States
TN16429,161
LA43121,829
DE1173,860
OH292,760
AL1,4624,001
WV1,657454
Major Industries*
Chemical, allied products12,26974,720
Electric lamps02,750
Paper mills2,5000
1 | 2
What's this? Check "Remember Me" to access your shopping cart on this computer even if you are not signed in.