Asbestos in Drinking Water
Found in 259 water systems • heavy_metals
Updated September 2026 • Data from EWG & EPA
What is Asbestos and Why Does It Matter?
ASBESTOS IN YOUR TAP WATER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
What Asbestos Is and How It Gets Into Water
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials, insulation, and brake pads throughout the 20th century. When asbestos-containing materials deteriorate—in old pipes, cement water mains, or building foundations—tiny fibers can break free and contaminate drinking water supplies. Asbestos enters water systems primarily through corrosion of aging infrastructure. In some areas, natural deposits in soil and rock also contribute to baseline levels. Once in the water, asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and odorless, making testing the only way to know if your water is affected.
The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a known carcinogen. When ingested through drinking water over many years, it can increase the risk of mesothelioma and gastrointestinal cancers, according to the EPA and World Health Organization. The risk increases with exposure level and duration. Most people who drink asbestos-contaminated water at low levels for short periods won't develop illness. However, children and people with long-term exposure face higher risk. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should be especially cautious, as asbestos can accumulate in the body over time. The EPA classifies asbestos as a Group A carcinogen—the highest cancer risk category.
Current Regulations and Safety Standards
The EPA's legal limit for asbestos in drinking water is 7 parts per billion (ppb). Across 259 water systems tested, asbestos averaged 0.675 ppb—well below the EPA standard. However, only 3 systems exceeded EPA limits, with the highest reading at 10.68 ppb. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends a stricter guideline of 0.14 ppb based on cancer risk assessment. By EWG standards, many more systems would be flagged as concerning. This gap between EPA and EWG standards reflects different approaches to acceptable risk: the EPA sets limits based on feasibility and cost, while EWG prioritizes maximum protection for vulnerable populations.
Which Regions Are Most Affected
Texas leads with 74 water systems containing detectable asbestos, followed by North Carolina (33), California (30), Louisiana (21), and Pennsylvania (16). These states share common factors: older water infrastructure, higher concentrations of naturally occurring asbestos in geology, or both. Texas and Louisiana have aging municipal systems built decades ago with asbestos-cement pipes. North Carolina and Pennsylvania also rely on older infrastructure. California's presence on this list reflects both aging pipes in established cities and natural asbestos deposits in certain regions. If you live in these states—especially in older neighborhoods with infrastructure built before 1980—your water is more likely to contain detectable asbestos.
How to Remove Asbestos From Your Water
The most effective way to remove asbestos from drinking water is reverse osmosis filtration, which removes up to 99.9% of asbestos fibers. Point-of-use systems installed under your sink or on your faucet work well for drinking and cooking water. Whole-home filtration systems can protect your entire household. Activated carbon filters alone are less effective at removing asbestos and shouldn't be your only defense. If your water utility reports asbestos detection, request their latest water quality report and consider installing a reverse osmosis system as a precaution. For families with young children or pregnant women, this investment offers peace of mind and measurable protection. Have any system professionally installed and maintain it according to manufacturer guidelines to ensure it continues filtering effectively.
Regulatory Standards for Asbestos
| Standard | Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Legal Limit (MCL) | 7 ppb | Legally enforceable standard |
| Average Detected Level | 0.68 ppb | Across all tested systems |
| Highest Detected Level | 10.68 ppb | Worst-case system |
Cities With the Highest Asbestos Levels
| # | City | Detected Level | People Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reynolds, GA | 10.68 ppb | 1,273 |
| 2 | Butler, GA | 10.68 ppb | 100 |
| 3 | Arp, TX | 10.54 ppb | 1,485 |
| 4 | Woodlake, CA | 7 ppb | 7,950 |
| 5 | Winnsboro, TX | 6.90 ppb | 3,884 |
| 6 | Eastland, TX | 5.91 ppb | 3,900 |
| 7 | Carbon, TX | 5.91 ppb | 440 |
| 8 | Olden, TX | 5.91 ppb | 783 |
| 9 | Rising City, NE | 5 ppb | 0 |
| 10 | Shavano Park, TX | 4.09 ppb | 2,200 |
| 11 | Meriden, KS | 3.78 ppb | 2,303 |
| 12 | Grantville, KS | 3.78 ppb | 228 |
| 13 | Houston, TX | 3.74 ppb | 1,062 |
| 14 | Bacliff, TX | 3.55 ppb | 1,839 |
| 15 | Windham, OH | 3 ppb | 2,200 |
States Most Affected by Asbestos
How to Remove Asbestos From Your Water
Activated carbon does not remove asbestos fibers. Only mechanical filtration methods like reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, or microfiltration (pore size <1 micron) can remove asbestos.
Standard pitcher filters and carbon-only filters do not reliably remove Asbestos. A reverse osmosis system with NSF/ANSI 58 certification is the most reliable solution.
Asbestos requires mechanical filtration with pore sizes smaller than asbestos fiber diameter (0.5-10 microns); reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration systems are necessary.
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Asbestos in my drinking water?
Asbestos was detected in 259 water systems across the US. Check your city's water quality report to see if it affects your water supply.
What are the health effects of Asbestos in water?
Asbestos has been associated with various health concerns at elevated levels. The EWG has set health guidelines that are typically stricter than EPA legal limits.
Which city has the most Asbestos in its water?
Based on our analysis, Reynolds, GA has the highest detected levels of Asbestos in its water supply.
How do I remove Asbestos from my water?
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are generally the most effective at removing this contaminant. Check the filtration recommendations section for specific guidance.
Related Contaminant Guides
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: September 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
