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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)

California American Water Company - Lincoln Oaks

Dry cleaning chemical tetrachloroethylene, or perc, can cause cancer. It pollutes soil and groundwater due to emissions from dry cleaning facilities, and automotive, metalworking and other industries. Read More.

The EPA considers tetrachloroethylene a likely human carcinogen. It has been linked with increased incidence of lung, breast and colon cancers. Tetrachloroethylene also damages the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The California public health goal of 0.06 parts per billion, set to protect against cancer, is 80 times lower than the amount allowed by the federal government, which is a Maximum Contaminant Level of 5 parts per billion.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

 

331

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

151

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.908 ppb10837ND - 4.30 ppb
20150.978 ppb8639ND - 5.00 ppb
20160.896 ppb2314ND - 2.30 ppb
20171.25 ppb1613ND - 2.50 ppb
20180.776 ppb5023ND - 2.90 ppb
20191.05 ppb4825ND - 3.00 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 0.06 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for tetrachloroethylene was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 5 ppb

The legal limit for tetrachloroethylene, established in 1991, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to tetrachloroethylene exposure.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2014-01-141225-016-09153.60 ppb
2014-01-141225-032-0920ND
2014-01-141225-033-0925ND
2014-01-151225-027-09104.30 ppb
2014-01-151225-030-0924ND
2014-01-151225-031-0933ND
2014-02-181225-001-1040ND
2014-02-181225-016-11502.70 ppb
2014-02-181225-019-0900ND
2014-02-181225-023-10000.600 ppb
2014-02-181225-027-12053.80 ppb
2014-02-181225-028-11301.70 ppb
2014-02-181225-030-1230ND
2014-02-181225-031-1245ND
2014-02-181225-032-1200ND
2014-02-181225-033-1210ND
2014-02-191225-009-1315ND
2014-02-201225-004-11000.900 ppb
2014-02-271225-006-1310ND
2014-03-121225-027-12283.60 ppb
2014-03-131225-016-10002.40 ppb
2014-03-131225-032-1005ND
2014-03-131225-033-1010ND
2014-04-081225-016-09402.20 ppb
2014-04-081225-027-09053.80 ppb
2014-04-081225-030-0917ND
2014-04-081225-031-0924ND
2014-04-081225-032-0945ND
2014-04-081225-033-0950ND
2014-05-061225-004-11381.70 ppb
2014-05-061225-009-1228ND
2014-05-061225-016-10102.10 ppb
2014-05-061225-019-0905ND
2014-05-061225-023-12300.800 ppb
2014-05-061225-032-1025ND
2014-05-061225-033-1040ND
2014-05-071225-001-1030ND
2014-05-071225-006-1010ND
2014-05-071225-027-09193.30 ppb
2014-05-071225-028-11251.70 ppb
2014-05-071225-030-0934ND
2014-05-071225-031-0942ND
2014-06-241225-016-11154.10 ppb
2014-06-241225-027-09234.10 ppb
2014-06-241225-030-0935ND
2014-06-241225-031-0942ND
2014-06-241225-032-1125ND
2014-06-241225-033-1135ND
2014-07-229590-027-09203.70 ppb
2014-07-229590-030-0934ND
2014-07-229590-031-0942ND
2014-07-291225-016-10103.40 ppb
2014-07-291225-032-1015ND
2014-07-291225-033-1020ND
2014-08-111225-001-1037ND
2014-08-111225-002-1000ND
2014-08-111225-004-13251.50 ppb
2014-08-111225-005-1015ND
2014-08-111225-006-1020ND
2014-08-111225-009-0945ND
2014-08-111225-010-1130ND
2014-08-111225-013-1215ND
2014-08-111225-014-1230ND
2014-08-111225-019-1158ND
2014-08-111225-023-11000.800 ppb
2014-08-111225-026-0910ND
2014-08-111225-028-11130.900 ppb
2014-08-121225-003-1245ND
2014-08-121225-012-1340ND
2014-08-121225-015-0950ND
2014-08-121225-027-08554.10 ppb
2014-08-121225-030-0909ND
2014-08-121225-031-0917ND
2014-08-131225-008-1010ND
2014-08-211225-016-11153.80 ppb
2014-08-211225-032-1125ND
2014-08-211225-033-1135ND
2014-09-031225-027-09003.50 ppb
2014-09-031225-030-0914ND
2014-09-031225-031-0921ND
2014-09-101225-016-11053.70 ppb
2014-09-101225-032-1115ND
2014-09-101225-033-1125ND
2014-10-161225-016-12122.60 ppb
2014-10-161225-032-1216ND
2014-10-161225-033-1220ND
2014-10-281225-027-09353.70 ppb
2014-10-281225-030-09401.20 ppb
2014-10-281225-031-0945ND
2014-11-101225-025-1110ND
2014-11-181225-016-10153.00 ppb
2014-11-181225-027-11254.30 ppb
2014-11-181225-030-1020ND
2014-11-181225-031-1135ND
2014-11-181225-032-11301.50 ppb
2014-11-181225-033-1025ND
2014-12-031225-001-1100ND
2014-12-031225-016-11202.80 ppb
2014-12-031225-019-0920ND
2014-12-031225-023-10200.700 ppb
2014-12-031225-027-10004.20 ppb
2014-12-031225-030-10201.30 ppb
2014-12-031225-031-1030ND
2014-12-031225-032-1125ND
2014-12-031225-033-1130ND
2014-12-041225-004-1005ND
2014-12-041225-006-1125ND
2014-12-041225-009-1040ND
2015-01-081225-016-11002.70 ppb
2015-01-081225-027-10204.00 ppb
2015-01-081225-030-10252.60 ppb
2015-01-081225-031-1030ND
2015-01-081225-032-1110ND
2015-01-081225-033-1120ND
2015-01-271225-028-09251.60 ppb
2015-02-021225-019-0922ND
2015-02-021225-027-12154.10 ppb
2015-02-021225-030-12252.90 ppb
2015-02-021225-031-1240ND
2015-02-031225-004-08072.30 ppb
2015-02-041225-009-1020ND
2015-02-101225-028-11252.40 ppb
2015-02-121225-006-0840ND
2015-02-171225-001-08500.600 ppb
2015-02-171225-023-10301.10 ppb
2015-02-251225-016-09152.10 ppb
2015-02-251225-032-0920ND
2015-02-251225-033-0925ND
2015-02-261225-025-0917ND
2015-03-181225-027-10104.00 ppb
2015-03-181225-030-10203.40 ppb
2015-03-181225-031-1030ND
2015-03-241225-016-10252.50 ppb
2015-03-241225-032-1030ND
2015-03-241225-033-1035ND
2015-04-091225-027-10404.30 ppb
2015-04-091225-030-10484.10 ppb
2015-04-091225-031-1100ND
2015-04-221225-016-08522.10 ppb
2015-04-221225-032-0852ND
2015-04-221225-033-0852ND
2015-05-051225-027-12004.60 ppb
2015-05-051225-030-12205.00 ppb
2015-05-051225-031-12350.800 ppb
2015-05-061225-019-1015ND
2015-05-061225-028-11451.60 ppb
2015-05-121225-001-08250.700 ppb
2015-05-121225-007-1010ND
2015-05-141225-025-1150ND
2015-05-261225-004-08351.90 ppb
2015-05-261225-006-1210ND
2015-05-261225-009-0917ND
2015-05-261225-023-10200.800 ppb
2015-05-271225-021-1143ND
2015-05-281225-016-08351.80 ppb
2015-05-281225-032-0835ND
2015-05-281225-033-0835ND
2015-06-181225-016-10352.00 ppb
2015-06-181225-024-1200ND
2015-06-181225-032-1035ND
2015-06-181225-033-1035ND
2015-06-301225-024-1120ND
2015-07-281225-016-09381.70 ppb
2015-07-281225-032-0938ND
2015-08-101225-004-09152.20 ppb
2015-08-101225-005-1100ND
2015-08-101225-019-1220ND
2015-08-101225-026-0940ND
2015-08-111225-009-1055ND
2015-08-111225-014-0855ND
2015-08-111225-025-08201.10 ppb
2015-08-111225-028-10251.70 ppb
2015-08-131225-001-1055ND
2015-08-131225-006-1045ND
2015-08-131225-015-0840ND
2015-08-181225-002-1005ND
2015-08-181225-013-1040ND
2015-08-191225-007-1230ND
2015-08-191225-010-0940ND
2015-08-191225-016-09451.90 ppb
2015-08-191225-023-11400.900 ppb
2015-08-241225-008-1305ND
2015-08-251225-003-1155ND
2015-09-101225-012-0835ND
2015-09-241225-016-11001.70 ppb
2015-11-111225-001-12550.600 ppb
2015-11-121225-004-08551.80 ppb
2015-11-121225-006-1050ND
2015-11-121225-009-0915ND
2015-11-121225-019-1230ND
2015-11-121225-023-09550.600 ppb
2015-11-161225-025-12100.700 ppb
2015-11-171225-016-11421.60 ppb
2015-12-071225-016-09501.60 ppb
2016-02-031225-028-14502.30 ppb
2016-02-091225-004-08452.00 ppb
2016-02-091225-009-0940ND
2016-02-091225-023-11000.600 ppb
2016-02-101225-006-1045ND
2016-02-101225-019-1055ND
2016-02-101225-025-08501.10 ppb
2016-02-251225-016-09451.50 ppb
2016-04-211225-016-09401.50 ppb
2016-05-091225-004-09501.90 ppb
2016-05-091225-006-1040ND
2016-05-091225-019-1111ND
2016-05-091225-024-1110ND
2016-05-091225-025-12201.000 ppb
2016-05-091225-028-10132.10 ppb
2016-05-111225-009-0945ND
2016-05-111225-023-09000.600 ppb
2016-05-261225-016-10301.30 ppb
2016-05-261225-021-0825ND
2016-10-251225-001-1305ND
2016-11-011225-004-08042.10 ppb
2016-11-011225-023-09450.700 ppb
2016-11-141225-028-14221.90 ppb
2017-02-081225-004-1015ND
2017-02-091225-023-07390.800 ppb
2017-02-151225-028-14202.10 ppb
2017-05-081225-023-07570.800 ppb
2017-05-081225-025-10371.40 ppb
2017-05-081225-028-14002.20 ppb
2017-05-091225-004-09351.90 ppb
2017-08-031225-025-0805ND
2017-08-101225-004-11552.50 ppb
2017-08-101225-023-12401.000 ppb
2017-08-101225-028-09152.00 ppb
2017-08-221225-010-1210ND
2017-11-131225-004-09451.000 ppb
2017-11-131225-023-10351.10 ppb
2017-11-131225-028-11102.10 ppb
2017-11-201225-025-11001.10 ppb
2018-01-241225-003-0940ND
2018-02-131225-004-12572.30 ppb
2018-02-131233-016-0955ND
2018-02-131225-023-13520.900 ppb
2018-02-191225-025-10301.10 ppb
2018-02-191225-028-0950ND
2018-03-121225-016-08301.30 ppb
2018-03-121225-032-0830ND
2018-03-121225-033-0830ND
2018-04-031225-016-10501.10 ppb
2018-04-031225-032-1050ND
2018-04-031225-033-1050ND
2018-05-011225-004-12152.40 ppb
2018-05-011225-016-08351.20 ppb
2018-05-011225-032-0835ND
2018-05-011225-033-0835ND
2018-05-021225-023-11151.000 ppb
2018-05-021225-025-09301.50 ppb
2018-05-031225-028-1100ND
2018-06-181225-016-09551.60 ppb
2018-06-181225-032-0955ND
2018-06-181225-033-0955ND
2018-07-171225-016-08421.20 ppb
2018-07-171225-032-0842ND
2018-07-171225-033-0842ND
2018-08-071225-004-13101.60 ppb
2018-08-071225-023-10550.800 ppb
2018-08-071225-024-0952ND
2018-08-131225-016-12001.30 ppb
2018-08-131225-025-11001.000 ppb
2018-08-131225-028-1220ND
2018-08-131225-032-1200ND
2018-08-131225-033-1200ND
2018-09-191225-016-11152.50 ppb
2018-09-191225-032-1115ND
2018-09-191225-033-1115ND
2018-10-171225-016-08252.40 ppb
2018-10-171225-032-0830ND
2018-10-171225-033-0835ND
2018-11-051225-003-1310ND
2018-11-051225-004-09152.70 ppb
2018-11-061225-016-09312.90 ppb
2018-11-061225-025-08501.30 ppb
2018-11-061225-028-10052.80 ppb
2018-11-061225-032-0936ND
2018-11-061225-033-0941ND
2018-11-071225-023-10501.40 ppb
2018-12-111225-016-14002.50 ppb
2018-12-111225-032-1410ND
2018-12-111225-033-1415ND
2019-01-081225-016-10101.80 ppb
2019-01-081225-032-1215ND
2019-01-081225-033-1020ND
2019-02-051225-016-12401.90 ppb
2019-02-051225-023-13551.20 ppb
2019-02-051225-025-13061.10 ppb
2019-02-051225-028-13502.60 ppb
2019-02-051225-032-1250ND
2019-02-051225-033-1255ND
2019-03-121225-016-12202.40 ppb
2019-03-121225-032-1230ND
2019-03-121225-033-1235ND
2019-04-091225-016-13252.80 ppb
2019-04-091225-032-1335ND
2019-04-091225-033-1340ND
2019-05-071225-016-15302.30 ppb
2019-05-071225-023-14101.40 ppb
2019-05-071225-032-1540ND
2019-05-071225-033-1545ND
2019-05-091225-025-11101.30 ppb
2019-05-091225-028-12402.60 ppb
2019-06-181225-016-13502.20 ppb
2019-06-181225-032-1400ND
2019-06-181225-033-1405ND
2019-07-091225-016-13502.80 ppb
2019-07-091225-032-14000.600 ppb
2019-07-091225-033-1405ND
2019-08-061225-016-16002.90 ppb
2019-08-061225-024-1450ND
2019-08-061225-032-1610ND
2019-08-061225-033-1615ND
2019-08-071225-023-15551.20 ppb
2019-08-071225-028-11352.00 ppb
2019-08-081225-003-1200ND
2019-09-101225-016-12002.50 ppb
2019-09-101225-032-1210ND
2019-09-101225-033-1215ND
2019-10-171225-016-12352.80 ppb
2019-10-171225-032-12401.000 ppb
2019-10-171225-033-1245ND
2019-11-181225-016-11153.00 ppb
2019-11-181225-032-14201.60 ppb
2019-11-181225-033-1125ND
2019-11-201225-028-13052.30 ppb
2019-11-211225-023-15501.40 ppb
2019-12-181225-016-12402.90 ppb
2019-12-181225-032-1245ND
2019-12-181225-033-1250ND