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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Cortland

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

 

52

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

36

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND10ND
2015ND10ND
20161.33 ppb2519ND - 2.33 ppb
20171.43 ppb98ND - 1.75 ppb
20181.06 ppb97ND - 1.62 ppb
20190.153 ppb72ND - 0.540 ppb

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
2014-04-24POC 14 CORTLANDND
2015-05-28POC 15 CORTLANDND
2016-02-09POC 16W3M2 CORTLND
2016-02-17POC 16W5M2 CORTL1.20 ppb
2016-02-17POC 16W4M2 CORTL1.37 ppb
2016-03-22POC 16W4M3 CORTL1.52 ppb
2016-03-22POC 16W3M3 CORTLND
2016-03-22POC 16W5M3 CORTL1.67 ppb
2016-05-26TCE 16W5M5 CORTL1.83 ppb
2016-05-26TCE 16W4M5 CORTL2.33 ppb
2016-06-16POC 16W3M6 CORTLND
2016-06-16POC 16W4M6 CORTL2.15 ppb
2016-06-16TCE 16W4M6 CORTL2.15 ppb
2016-06-16TCE 16W5M6 CORTL2.07 ppb
2016-06-16POC 16W5M6 CORTL2.07 ppb
2016-08-08POC 16Q3W4 CORTL1.98 ppb
2016-08-08TCE 16W4M8 CORTL1.98 ppb
2016-08-11TCE 16W4M8B CORT1.10 ppb
2016-08-12TCE 16W4M8C CORT0.880 ppb
2016-08-15TCE 16W4M8D CORT1.60 ppb
2016-08-16TCE 16W4M8E CORTND
2016-10-04POC 16W3Q4 CORTLND
2016-10-17POC 16W5M10 CORT1.60 ppb
2016-10-17TCE 16W5M10 CORT1.60 ppb
2016-12-27POC 16M12W3 CORTND
2016-12-27POC 16M12W4 CORT1.82 ppb
2016-12-27POC 16M12W5 CORT2.22 ppb
2017-03-07POC 17M3W4 CORTL1.54 ppb
2017-03-30POC 17M3W5 CORTL1.63 ppb
2017-05-11POC 17M5W3 CORTLND
2017-07-27POC 17M7W5 CORTL1.51 ppb
2017-07-27POC 17M7W4 CORTL1.49 ppb
2017-10-12POC 17M10W4 CORT1.56 ppb
2017-10-12POC 17M10W5 CORT1.75 ppb
2017-12-20POC 17M12W4 CORT1.65 ppb
2017-12-20POC 17M12W5 CORT1.73 ppb
2018-03-29POC 18M3W4 CORTL1.60 ppb
2018-03-29POC 18M3W5 CORTL1.62 ppb
2018-05-31POC 18W3 CORTLANND
2018-06-28POC 18M6W5 CORTL1.44 ppb
2018-06-28POC 18M6W4 CORTL1.23 ppb
2018-09-27POC 18M9W5 CORTL1.61 ppb
2018-09-27POC 18M9W4 CORTL1.15 ppb
2018-12-11POC 18M12W5 CORT0.850 ppb
2018-12-11POC 18M12W4 CORTND
2019-03-07POC 19M3W4 CORTLND
2019-05-30POC 19W3 CORTLANND
2019-06-26POC 19M6W5 CORTL0.540 ppb
2019-06-26POC 19M6W4 CORTLND
2019-10-09POC 19M10W4 CORTND
2019-10-31POC 19 CORTLANDND
2019-12-18POC 19M12W5 CORT0.530 ppb