Blue Ribbon Water - Analysis

Hardness

Essex water is NOT HARD. Therefore, a water softer is purely optional. You will get some benefit, but typically not a value for the money.

PFAS6

PFAS6 legal limit remains 20 parts per trillion in Massachusetts . Essex PFAS6 level is 6.1 ppt, well below that number and is not a problem currently. PFAS/PFOA filters are unnecessary at this time.

Fluoride

Fluoride has been reduced in many municipalities including Essex. There is no reporting for Fluoride for Essex. Any concerns about Fluoride should be directed to the Essex water department. The EPA recommendation is not to exceed 4 mg/L. Reverse Osmosis and specialty Fluoride filters are needed to remove Fluoride, if needed.

TDS

Essex water is dirty, plagued by a combination of high manganese, aging filtration infrastructure and very old street pipes. Sediment filtration is highly recommended.

Total TTHM

TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) is a combination of several chemicals that are byproducts from the Chlorine disinfecting process. They are suspected carcinogens and are regulated by the Federal EPA. The two major components are Trihalomethanes [THM] (MCL=80 mg/L) and Halo acidic Acids. (MCL = 60 mg/L). Essex THMs are under control, but are still present. It tends to fluctuate higher in the hot summer months and has exceeded the MCL on a number of occasions, including this summer. Our activated carbon filters will remove these remaining toxins. Read more about disinfectant Byproducts here: