Benzene
CTWC - Unionville System
NOTE: CTWC - Unionville System purchases water from Metropolitan District Commission which is required to test for benzene. Sample information shown below was taken by Metropolitan District Commission.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. It also damages blood cells and the nervous system. Emissions from petroleum processing, hazardous waste landfills and underground storage tanks contaminate drinking water with benzene. Read More.
To protect against cancer risks, California set a public health goal for benzene in drinking water at 0.15 parts per billion, 30 times lower than the federal legal limit of 5 parts per billion.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ND | 3 | 0 | ND |
| 2019 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
| 2020 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2021 | ND | 5 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | ND | 4 | 0 | ND |
| 2023 | ND | 1 | 0 | ND |
ppb = parts per billion
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.15 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.15 ppb for benzene 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 benzene, established in 1987, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit may not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to benzene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
All test results
NOTE: CTWC - Unionville System purchases water from Metropolitan District Commission which is required to test for benzene. Sample information shown below was taken by Metropolitan District Commission.
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-07-16 | AE00927GE | ND |
| 2018-07-16 | AE00912GE | ND |
| 2018-07-16 | AE00911GE | ND |
| 2019-06-05 | AE29314GE | ND |
| 2019-06-05 | AE29313GE | ND |
| 2019-06-05 | AE29315GE | ND |
| 2020-06-02 | AE59301GE | ND |
| 2020-06-02 | AE59305GE | ND |
| 2020-06-02 | AE59302GE | ND |
| 2021-11-23 | V300107450 300107457 | ND |
| 2021-11-23 | V300107451 300107463 | ND |
| 2021-11-29 | V300109635 300109637 | ND |
| 2022-12-15 | V300287053 300287060 | ND |
| 2022-12-15 | V300287072 300287079 | ND |
| 2022-12-15 | V300287100 300287107 | ND |
| 2023-12-06 | V300456527 300456529 | ND |
| 2023-12-06 | V300456525 300456531 | ND |
| 2023-12-06 | V300456533 300456535 | ND |