Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Trichloroethylene

Sardis Lone Elm WSC

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.

 

32

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND20ND
2015ND80ND
2016ND50ND
2017ND60ND
2018ND60ND
2019ND50ND

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
2014-04-28Q1413518013ND
2014-04-28Q1413518010ND
2015-04-20Q1514635021ND
2015-04-20Q1514635020ND
2015-04-20Q1514635017ND
2015-04-20Q1514635016ND
2015-04-20Q1514635014ND
2015-07-22Q1528430001ND
2015-09-10Q1535233002ND
2015-11-19Q1546073006ND
2016-01-25Q1603127004ND
2016-01-25Q1603127001ND
2016-01-25Q1603127008ND
2016-10-27Q1645955004ND
2016-10-27Q1645955001ND
2017-04-06Q1714243035ND
2017-04-06Q1714243028ND
2017-04-06Q1714243033ND
2017-04-06Q1714243026ND
2017-04-06Q1714243032ND
2017-10-16Q1753055001ND
2018-01-11Q1801694020ND
2018-01-11Q1801694018ND
2018-01-11Q1801694017ND
2018-01-11Q1801694015ND
2018-01-11Q1801694012ND
2018-08-27Q1834176002ND
2019-04-18Q1915875003ND
2019-04-18Q1915875008ND
2019-04-18Q1915875020ND
2019-04-18Q1915875005ND
2019-04-18Q1915875017ND