Dibromoacetic acid in Drinking Water
Found in 16,150 water systems • Exceeds EWG Health Guideline
Updated September 2026 • Data from EWG & EPA
What is Dibromoacetic acid and Why Does It Matter?
DIBROMOACETIC ACID: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
What Is Dibromoacetic Acid and Where Does It Come From?
Dibromoacetic acid (DBA) is a chemical byproduct created when water treatment plants disinfect tap water with chlorine. When chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water — leaves, algae, and other plant material — it produces disinfection byproducts, or DBPs. Dibromoacetic acid is one of several bromine-containing DBPs that form during this process. The irony is stark: the chlorine added to kill harmful bacteria and viruses can create new chemical concerns in the process.
This contaminant doesn't come from industrial pollution or agricultural runoff. It's generated right at the water treatment facility. The more organic material in the source water, and the more chlorine needed to disinfect it, the more dibromoacetic acid forms. This is why it shows up in water systems across the country — wherever chlorination is used, which is most places.
Health Effects and Exposure Risks
Dibromoacetic acid is classified as a potential health concern, though research is still evolving. Animal studies suggest it may affect the liver and kidneys with long-term exposure. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) set a health guideline of 0.4 ppb (parts per billion) based on these findings, prioritizing protection for children and pregnant women, whose developing bodies are more vulnerable to chemical exposure.
The data is sobering: across 16,150 water systems tested, 15,949 exceeded the EWG guideline — that's 98.8% of systems. The average contamination level was 1.939 ppb, nearly five times the EWG guideline. Some systems recorded levels as high as 49.0 ppb, which is more than 120 times the protective guideline. While the EPA has not set a drinking water standard for dibromoacetic acid, the EWG's guideline reflects a more cautious approach to protecting public health.
The Regulatory Gap
Here's where things get complicated. The EPA regulates a group of disinfection byproducts called "total trihalomethanes" (TTHMs), but dibromoacetic acid falls into a different category of DBPs that currently lack federal drinking water limits. This means water utilities are not required to test for it or reduce it. The EWG guideline exists as a scientific recommendation, not a legal requirement.
This regulatory gap means your local water provider may not even measure dibromoacetic acid in your tap water. You could be drinking it without knowing. This is why independent water testing through services like Echo Water's analysis can reveal contaminants that standard municipal reports don't address.
Geographic Hotspots and Why They Matter
Texas leads the nation with 2,797 water systems exceeding the EWG guideline, followed by California (1,153), Illinois (1,119), Ohio (885), and Louisiana (856). These states aren't random — they reflect where chlorination is most heavily used and where source water contains higher levels of organic material.
Texas's problem is particularly acute due to its large geographic size, numerous water systems, and source water characteristics that require aggressive disinfection. California's agricultural regions and aging infrastructure compound the issue. The Midwest states (Illinois and Ohio) deal with seasonal organic matter from rivers and reservoirs. Louisiana's swampy source waters naturally contain high levels of organic compounds that react with chlorine.
Removing Dibromoacetic Acid From Your Home
Since dibromoacetic acid forms during water treatment, municipal systems can't easily eliminate it without changing their disinfection approach. Your best protection is at home. Reverse osmosis systems remove 95-99% of dibromoacetic acid and other disinfection byproducts. Activated carbon filters also reduce DBPs, though they're less effective than reverse osmosis. If you live in Texas, California, or the Midwest, testing your tap water is the first step — you may have this contaminant without realizing it.
Regulatory Standards for Dibromoacetic acid
| Standard | Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EWG Health Guideline | 0.03 ppb | Stricter, based on latest science |
| Average Detected Level | 1.94 ppb | Across all tested systems |
| Highest Detected Level | 49 ppb | Worst-case system |
Cities With the Highest Dibromoacetic acid Levels
| # | City | Detected Level | People Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jones, LA | 49 ppb | 696 |
| 2 | Marion, LA | 47.80 ppb | 369 |
| 3 | Marion, LA | 38.10 ppb | 1,635 |
| 4 | Farmerville, LA | 36.20 ppb | 1,350 |
| 5 | Mathews, VA | 35.90 ppb | 88 |
| 6 | Joyce, LA | 35.10 ppb | 840 |
| 7 | Sterlington, LA | 31.50 ppb | 1,095 |
| 8 | Paint Rock, TX | 30.60 ppb | 275 |
| 9 | Rowena, TX | 29.20 ppb | 714 |
| 10 | Freeport, TX | 29.20 ppb | 67 |
| 11 | Millersview, TX | 28.40 ppb | 3,987 |
| 12 | Sidney, MT | 28 ppb | 85 |
| 13 | Calvin, LA | 28 ppb | 591 |
| 14 | Mountain Park, OK | 27.60 ppb | 0 |
| 15 | Sargent, TX | 26.70 ppb | 564 |
States Most Affected by Dibromoacetic acid
How to Remove Dibromoacetic acid From Your Water
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are generally the most effective at removing a wide range of contaminants from drinking water.
Standard pitcher filters and carbon-only filters do not reliably remove Dibromoacetic acid. A reverse osmosis system with NSF/ANSI 58 certification is the most reliable solution.
Echo RO System
Removes Dibromoacetic acid and 99.9% of other contaminants. The gold standard for drinking water purification.
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Dibromoacetic acid in my drinking water?
Dibromoacetic acid was detected in 16150 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 Dibromoacetic acid in water?
Dibromoacetic acid 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 Dibromoacetic acid in its water?
Based on our analysis, Jones, LA has the highest detected levels of Dibromoacetic acid in its water supply.
How do I remove Dibromoacetic acid 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.
