Contaminant · metal
Copper in drinking water
Copper in tap water usually comes from household plumbing corrosion.
A clearer perspective.highest recorded single-sample basis; sampled 2023–2025. Source: EPA records; Clara Water Association (MS0770002).
What the rules say
Copper is regulated by an action level of 1,300 µg/L (1.3 mg/L) at the 90th percentile of tap samples.
What EPA's assessment says
EPA cites gastrointestinal effects from short-term exposure above the action level and liver or kidney effects from long-term exposure.
Read the EPA source for Copper.
Systems with Copper action-level exceedances
| System | State | Population served | Recorded value | Records / periods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clara Water Association MS0770002 | Mississippi | 1,690 | 1,590 ppb | 33 |
| Deposit (V) Water Department NY0301663 | New York | 2,080 | 1,770 ppb | 43 |
| North Collins Village NY1400517 | New York | 1,496 | 1,379 ppb | 43 |
| Union, Village of NE3102505 | Nebraska | 196 | 2,320 ppb | 17 |
| Kaw City Water Authority OK2003605 | Oklahoma | 372 | 1,955 ppb | 28 |
| West Point, City of NE3103904 | Nebraska | 3,550 | 1,830 ppb | 21 |
| Fcwwd 41/Shaver Lake CA1010017 | California | 2,722 | 4,600 ppb | 29 |
| Raven'S Nest NE3121381 | Nebraska | 70 | 1,840 ppb | 15 |
| Chapman, City of KS2004108 | Kansas | 1,377 | 1,400 ppb | 15 |
| Hilton Sound (Sc3250024) SC3250024 | Missouri | 50 | 4,040 ppb | 21 |
| Cassie Water System TX0270047 | Missouri | 106 | 3,860 ppb | 25 |
| Haysville, City of KS2017322 | Kansas | 11,315 | 1,700 ppb | 14 |
| Shawnee Co Rwd 2c KS2017713 | Kansas | 700 | 1,600 ppb | 24 |
| Fcwwd 37/Mile High CA1000040 | California | 129 | 3,400 ppb | 19 |
| Denali - Main / Front Country AK2390594 | Alaska | 4,122 | 2,100 ppb | 13 |
| Cooks Falls Water District NY1200253 | New York | 150 | 2,080 ppb | 19 |
| Pottersville Water District NY5600110 | New York | 315 | 2,010 ppb | 34 |
| Westfield IL0230200 | Illinois | 678 | 1,720 ppb | 16 |
| Lafayette MN1520002 | Minnesota | 504 | 1,670 ppb | 18 |
| Laurel Community League CA4400528 | California | 64 | 1,581 ppb | 13 |
| Sleepy Eye MN1080005 | Minnesota | 3,599 | 1,480 ppb | 22 |
| Laguna Seca Wc CA2700612 | California | 162 | 1,670 ppb | 15 |
| Mcintosh Co. Rwd #6 (Vivian) OK2004913 | Oklahoma | 1,500 | 1,660 ppb | 16 |
| Brainerd MN1180002 | Minnesota | 14,670 | 1,630 ppb | 31 |
| Slc WSC TX1470031 | Texas | 1,749 | 1,540 ppb | 12 |
Filters and testing
NSF/ANSI 53 (copper reduction) or NSF/ANSI 58
A standard number by itself is not a contaminant claim. Check the product's current certification listing and performance data sheet for Copper or the specific contaminant you want to reduce. A utility-level record is not a test of your own faucet.