Cryp
Cryptosporidium
microbialSDWA code: 3012
EPA Limit (MCL)
No MCL
Health Goal (MCLG)
Zero (0)
No level is considered safe
Unit of Measure
oocysts/L
How concentrations are reported
Regulated under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR). Chlorine-resistant; requires UV or filtration.
Health Effects
Cryptosporidiosis: watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea. Life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals (HIV/AIDS, transplant patients).
The EPA has set the health goal (MCLG) at zero, meaning no level of exposure is considered risk-free.
How It Gets Into Water
Human and animal fecal waste entering surface water supplies; runoff from agricultural land with livestock
Official EPA Guidance
For authoritative information on Cryptosporidiumin drinking water, visit the EPA's official resource page.
View EPA Guidance ↗