Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Trichloroethylene

Western MWD (Arlington)

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.

MORE ABOUT THIS CONTAMINANT

 

61

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND70ND
2015ND100ND
2016ND130ND
2017ND70ND
2018ND210ND
2019ND30ND

ppb = parts per billion

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

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
2014-01-064790-009-1130ND
2014-02-034790-008-1130ND
2014-02-034790-007-1115ND
2014-05-054790-009-1345ND
2014-05-054790-008-1115ND
2014-05-124790-007-1000ND
2014-08-054790-007-1400ND
2015-02-094790-009-1130ND
2015-02-094790-008-0945ND
2015-02-094790-007-0930ND
2015-02-184790-009-1400ND
2015-05-044790-008-1450ND
2015-05-044790-007-1350ND
2015-08-044790-007-1310ND
2015-08-044790-008-1320ND
2015-11-024790-007-1250ND
2015-11-024790-008-1240ND
2016-02-124790-009-1030ND
2016-02-134790-001-0930ND
2016-02-134790-005-1030ND
2016-02-134790-004-1010ND
2016-02-134790-003-0950ND
2016-03-294790-002-0705ND
2016-05-024790-007-1120ND
2016-05-024790-008-1140ND
2016-08-014790-008-0945ND
2016-08-014790-007-0930ND
2016-11-014790-009-1120ND
2016-11-014790-007-0900ND
2016-11-014790-008-0930ND
2017-02-064790-009-1030ND
2017-05-014790-007-1252ND
2017-05-014790-008-1441ND
2017-08-014790-007-1005ND
2017-08-014790-008-1110ND
2017-11-074790-007-0845ND
2017-11-074790-008-0900ND
2018-02-214790-007-1100ND
2018-02-214790-008-1200ND
2018-02-214790-009-0900ND
2018-02-274790-001-1130ND
2018-02-274790-002-1145ND
2018-02-274790-003-1200ND
2018-02-274790-004-1215ND
2018-02-274790-005-1230ND
2018-05-144790-008-1055ND
2018-05-144790-007-1010ND
2018-05-294790-007-1450ND
2018-05-294790-005-1605ND
2018-05-294790-004-1555ND
2018-05-294790-003-1545ND
2018-05-294790-002-1535ND
2018-05-294790-001-1525ND
2018-06-044790-009-1130ND
2018-08-284790-008-0930ND
2018-08-294790-007-1300ND
2018-11-054790-007-1000ND
2018-11-054790-008-1100ND
2019-03-044790-008-1250ND
2019-03-044790-009-1235ND
2019-03-044790-007-1315ND