Selenium in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
Selenium is an essential trace element, but at high levels causes selenosis: hair and fingernail loss, numbness in fingers and toes, circulatory problems, and possible nerve damage.
📍 Sources in Water
Occurs naturally in certain soils and rock. High natural levels are found in the Great Plains and interior West. Also enters water from mining operations, oil refineries, and agricultural drainage.
✅ What To Do
Reverse osmosis and distillation are effective at reducing selenium. Ion exchange filters also work. Check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Check your tap water for Selenium
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Selenium violations, plus lead testing results and an overall safety grade.
Search your ZIP code →Data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). MCLs reflect minimum federal standards; some contaminants may pose health risks below these thresholds.