Emerging Contaminants

This page contains links to information about new and emerging contaminants that pertain to drinking water and to recycled water.

New and emerging contaminants are unregulated and may be new contaminants (e.g., MTBE, now regulated in California) or those that may have been present but not detected (e.g., perchlorate, now also regulated in California). Other examples such contaminants are 1,2,3-trichloropropane, NDMA and other nitrosamines and 1,4-dioxane.

Also among the emerging contaminants are pharmaceuticals and personal care products, industrial chemicals present at low concentrations, and chemicals that may affect hormone status, referred to as "endocrine disruptors."

Listed below are links for more information about emerging contaminants.

More Information

Information for Public Drinking Water Systems
Division of Drinking Water's Recycled Water Information