Statement on Environmental Working Group Report
About Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water

On Monday, the Environmental Working Group released a report indicating that hexavalent chromium had been found in 31 cities' drinking water. The current national drinking water standard for total chromium (hexavalent and other isotopes) is 100 parts per billion. The Working Group's research indicated that hexavalent chromium is present in Atlanta's water supply at an amount of .2 parts per billion.

Atlanta's drinking water undergoes more than 50,000 tests annually to screen for more than 150 potential contaminants. The City issues an EPA-mandated Water Quality Report (http://www.atlantawatershed.org/pdf/WQR2009.pdf) detailing the results of all required tests. Atlanta does not specifically test for the presence of certain contaminants, such as hexavalent chromium, as such tests are not currently required. Hexavalent chromium is one of 20 chemicals under EPA review for potential further regulation.