Trichloroethylene
La Crosse Waterworks
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.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.136 ppb | 17 | 8 | ND - 0.818 ppb |
2015 | 0.190 ppb | 16 | 10 | ND - 0.611 ppb |
2016 | 0.225 ppb | 14 | 7 | ND - 1.08 ppb |
2017 | 0.0183 ppb | 20 | 1 | ND - 0.365 ppb |
2018 | 0.176 ppb | 14 | 3 | ND - 0.913 ppb |
2019 | ND | 16 | 0 | ND |
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 |
---|---|---|
2014-02-25 | 4020695-01 | ND |
2014-03-06 | 4030179-02 | ND |
2014-03-10 | 4030238-01 | ND |
2014-03-10 | 4030238-02 | 0.141 ppb |
2014-04-22 | 4040806-16 | 0.0990 ppb |
2014-06-11 | 4060407-02 | ND |
2014-06-11 | 4060407-03 | ND |
2014-06-11 | 4060407-04 | ND |
2014-06-11 | 4060407-01 | ND |
2014-06-16 | 4060519-04 | ND |
2014-06-16 | 4060519-02 | 0.818 ppb |
2014-06-24 | 4060840-01 | ND |
2014-08-11 | 4080309-01 | 0.0810 ppb |
2014-08-13 | 4080455-03 | 0.176 ppb |
2014-08-13 | 4080455-02 | 0.314 ppb |
2014-10-08 | 4100322-07 | 0.654 ppb |
2014-12-30 | 4120949-01 | 0.0320 ppb |
2015-02-11 | 5020318-04 | 0.399 ppb |
2015-02-11 | 5020318-02 | 0.341 ppb |
2015-02-11 | 5020318-03 | 0.317 ppb |
2015-03-09 | 5030238-01 | 0.611 ppb |
2015-03-30 | 5030975-01 | ND |
2015-04-01 | 5040003-01 | 0.430 ppb |
2015-05-06 | 5050178-04 | ND |
2015-05-06 | 5050178-03 | ND |
2015-05-06 | 5050178-02 | ND |
2015-06-16 | 5060564-04 | ND |
2015-08-13 | 5080540-04 | 0.414 ppb |
2015-08-13 | 5080540-02 | 0.0970 ppb |
2015-08-13 | 5080540-03 | 0.209 ppb |
2015-10-14 | 5100472-04 | 0.128 ppb |
2015-10-14 | 5100472-03 | 0.0920 ppb |
2015-10-14 | 5100472-02 | ND |
2016-03-10 | 6030418-06 | 0.282 ppb |
2016-03-10 | 6030418-03 | 0.241 ppb |
2016-03-10 | 6030418-05 | ND |
2016-03-10 | 6030418-01 | 0.0570 ppb |
2016-03-10 | 6030418-02 | 0.0970 ppb |
2016-04-14 | 6040500-01 | ND |
2016-05-18 | 6050700-04 | ND |
2016-05-18 | 6050700-03 | ND |
2016-05-18 | 6050700-05 | 0.404 ppb |
2016-08-10 | 6080456-03 | ND |
2016-08-10 | 6080456-07 | ND |
2016-11-03 | 6110193-08 | ND |
2016-11-03 | 6110193-03 | 0.991 ppb |
2016-11-03 | 6110193-07 | 1.08 ppb |
2017-03-08 | 17C0300-01 | ND |
2017-03-15 | 17C0533-01 | ND |
2017-03-16 | 17C0605-01 | 0.365 ppb |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-03 | ND |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-04 | ND |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-06 | ND |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-05 | ND |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-07 | ND |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-02 | ND |
2017-06-14 | 17F0575-08 | ND |
2017-06-15 | 17F0598-01 | ND |
2017-06-21 | 17F0857-03 | ND |
2017-06-21 | 17F0857-01 | ND |
2017-08-09 | 17H0448-02 | ND |
2017-08-09 | 17H0448-03 | ND |
2017-08-09 | 17H0448-04 | ND |
2017-08-09 | 17H0448-05 | ND |
2017-10-23 | 17J0751-02 | ND |
2017-10-23 | 17J0751-03 | ND |
2017-10-23 | 17J0751-04 | ND |
2018-02-28 | 18B0840-06 | ND |
2018-02-28 | 18B0840-04 | ND |
2018-02-28 | 18B0840-03 | ND |
2018-05-02 | 18E0103-05 | ND |
2018-05-02 | 18E0103-06 | ND |
2018-05-02 | 18E0103-03 | ND |
2018-05-02 | 18E0103-04 | ND |
2018-05-03 | 18E0132-02 | ND |
2018-08-01 | 18H0053-02 | ND |
2018-08-01 | 18H0053-03 | ND |
2018-08-01 | 18H0053-04 | ND |
2018-10-01 | 18J0009-02 | 0.690 ppb |
2018-10-01 | 18J0009-03 | 0.862 ppb |
2018-10-01 | 18J0009-04 | 0.913 ppb |
2019-03-04 | 19C0052-01 | ND |
2019-03-04 | 19C0052-03 | ND |
2019-03-05 | 19C0107-01 | ND |
2019-03-18 | 19C0513-02 | ND |
2019-06-06 | 19F0212-01 | ND |
2019-06-06 | 19F0212-02 | ND |
2019-06-06 | 19F0212-03 | ND |
2019-06-06 | 19F0212-05 | ND |
2019-07-22 | 19G0736-01 | ND |
2019-07-22 | 19G0736-03 | ND |
2019-07-22 | 19G0736-04 | ND |
2019-07-22 | 19G0736-06 | ND |
2019-10-02 | 19J0142-01 | ND |
2019-10-02 | 19J0142-02 | ND |
2019-10-02 | 19J0142-03 | ND |
2019-10-02 | 19J0142-04 | ND |