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1. Is Everett’s water safe to drink?

Yes, Everett’s water—and the water Everett Water System provides to other local water utilities—is safe to drink.

2. I heard on the news that Everett has a chemical in its drinking water that causes cancer. Is this true?

There was a report released on September 21, 2016 by The Environmental Working Group that said the chemical compound chromium-6 has been detected in water supplies for most U.S. cities, including Everett.

The results from monitoring conducted by the City of Everett for hexavalent chromium Everett water averaged 0.25 parts per billion (ppb). In California, one of the few places chromium-6 is regulated (it’s not regulated in Washington state), the regulatory level is 10 ppb—40 times the amount detected in Everett’s water.

3. What is chromium-6?

Chromium-6 is an unregulated compound under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, and in most U.S. states, including Washington. The compound occurs naturally in the environment from the erosion of natural chromium deposits. It can also be produced by industrial processes.

4. How does Everett protect against chromium-6 and other chemicals from entering our drinking water?

The City of Everett’s water supply comes from a protected watershed. There are no industrial or agricultural activities and limited recreation allowed on and around the site.

5. Where can I go to get more information about what’s in Everett’s drinking water?

Everett’s 2019 Water Quality Report contains details and results about all of the contaminants, regulated and unregulated, that the City of Everett looks for in our drinking water.

6. Where else can I go for more information?

Visit the following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sites:
• Chromium in Drinking Water
• Hexavalent Chromium: Questions and Answers