Copper
EPA MCLG
1.3 mg/L
The level in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. This is a goal, not an enforceable limit.
Health Effects
Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress Long term exposure: Liver or kidney damage People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor if the amount of copper in their water exceeds the action level
Source: EPA — National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (retrieved 2026-07-27)
Common Sources
- Corrosion of household plumbing systems
- erosion of natural deposits
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The EPA MCLG for Copper is 1.3 mg/L. Upload your water test (PDF or a photo) and we'll email a plain-English reading of where your result lands — and every other number — free. Educational only, no medical claims.
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Where is Copper Found?
Copper is judged under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule: on the 90th percentile of samples taken at customers' taps, against an action level of 1.3 mg/L, not on a health goal. No verified copper result of that kind is on file for any water system here, so this page lists no cities. A copper figure in a utility's own upstream record is shown on its city page as reported and is not counted.
About the EPA MCLG
The EPA MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. It is a non-enforceable public health goal, and is often stricter than the legal limit (MCL) water systems must meet.
Contaminant Type
Copper is classified as a Metals contaminant.
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