Inorganic
Cadmium in your water
Is Cadmium in drinking water dangerous?
It depends on the level and how long you're exposed. The EPA legal limit (MCL) for Cadmium is 5 ppb. Meeting the legal limit isn't the same as zero risk — test your water to know your level.
How do you remove Cadmium from water?
Cadmium is treated by Water Softener and Reverse Osmosis. Choose a system independently certified to NSF/ANSI standards to reduce Cadmium, and test your water first to confirm the level.
Source: EPA MCL / MCLG; WHO guidelines; NSF/ANSI · 2026
Health effects
Cadmium enters water from corroded galvanized pipes and from industrial and mining discharges. Long-term exposure mainly damages the kidneys and can weaken bones. It is toxic even at low levels over time.
The health-based goal vs. the legal limit
The federal legal limit (MCL) is the maximum allowed by law. The EPA health goal (MCLG) is the level below which no health risk is expected — it is non-enforceable and often stricter than the legal limit.
EPA health goal (MCLG)
No federal health goal set
Federal legal limit (MCL)
5 ppb
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (MCL / MCLG) · 2026
What removes Cadmium
Ion exchange
Water Softener
Swaps the calcium and magnesium that cause hard water for sodium — so scale stops forming.
Look for: NSF/ANSI 44 certification
How it works→Semipermeable membrane filtration
Reverse Osmosis
Pushes water through a fine membrane that removes the dissolved solids most filters miss.
Look for: NSF/ANSI 58 certification
How it works→Where Cadmium has been found
Cadmium shows up in the public water record for these cities. Each page has the measured level, the legal limit, and what removes it.
- 1
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Is Cadmium in your water?
Check your city's public record, then book a free 30-minute test to confirm what's in your home.