Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Trichloroethylene

Amarillo Mutual Water Company

Trichloroethylene, an industrial solvent and common groundwater pollutant, damages the immune system, harms the developing fetus and causes cancer. Read More.

Trichloroethylene was once commonly used to remove grease from metal parts, such as steel pipes and engines, and as a solvent in dry cleaning and carpet cleaning products. Drinking trichloroethylene-contaminated drinking water has been linked with birth defects, leukemia, and liver and kidney damage. Trichloroethylene is highly volatile and can enter indoor air through water in pipes. If trichloroethylene is present, people can inhale it while bathing, washing dishes and doing other household activities that involve water.

Click here to read more about carcinogenic VOCs.

 

24

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

15

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20182.38 ppb441.30 ppb - 3.30 ppb
20192.05 ppb441.60 ppb - 2.40 ppb
20200.557 ppb32ND - 0.940 ppb
20210.507 ppb32ND - 0.960 ppb
2022ND70ND
20230.663 ppb330.510 ppb - 0.740 ppb

ppb = parts per billion

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.4 ppb

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for trichloroethylene was defined by the state of Minnesota as health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus and damage to the immune system.

EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 5 ppb

The legal limit for trichloroethylene, established in 1987, 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 and harm to the developing fetus.

ppb = parts per billion

All test results

Date Lab ID Result
2018-02-07CA1910002_001_001-2018020709301.30 ppb
2018-05-10CA1910002_001_001-2018051009151.70 ppb
2018-08-22CA1910002_001_001-2018082208453.20 ppb
2018-11-08CA1910002_001_001-2018110809053.30 ppb
2019-06-10CA1910002_001_001-2019061008501.90 ppb
2019-08-13CA1910002_001_001-2019081308352.40 ppb
2019-10-18CA1910002_001_001-2019101809102.30 ppb
2019-11-18CA1910002_001_001-2019111809451.60 ppb
2020-01-21CA1910002_001_001-2020012112150.730 ppb
2020-10-22CA1910002_001_001-202010221110ND
2020-12-15CA1910002_001_001-2020121508190.940 ppb
2021-01-20CA1910002_001_001-2021012010000.960 ppb
2021-11-17CA1910002_001_001-2021111712150.560 ppb
2021-11-17CA1910002_001_001-202111171240ND
2022-02-17CA1910002_001_001-202202171044ND
2022-02-17CA1910002_001_001-202202171120ND
2022-02-17CA1910002_001_001-202202171220ND
2022-02-17CA1910002_001_001-202202171320ND
2022-02-17CA1910002_001_001-202202171105ND
2022-07-01CA1910002_001_001-202207010900ND
2022-07-07CA1910002_001_001-202207071256ND
2023-05-25CA1910002_001_001-2023052514300.740 ppb
2023-08-24CA1910002_001_001-2023082411100.740 ppb
2023-11-16CA1910002_001_001-2023111608450.510 ppb