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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Downey Water Department

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

 

130

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

17

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20140.0857 ppb233ND - 0.760 ppb
20150.115 ppb193ND - 0.850 ppb
20160.185 ppb203ND - 1.40 ppb
20170.0905 ppb212ND - 1.20 ppb
20180.121 ppb254ND - 0.840 ppb
20190.0827 ppb222ND - 1.000 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
2014-02-132706-019-07270.600 ppb
2014-05-192706-019-1417ND
2014-10-072706-007-0752ND
2014-10-072706-009-0812ND
2014-10-072706-010-0830ND
2014-10-072706-011-0734ND
2014-10-072706-012-0937ND
2014-10-072706-014-0955ND
2014-10-072706-016-0715ND
2014-10-072706-032-0849ND
2014-10-072706-033-0918ND
2014-10-082706-017-1014ND
2014-10-082706-018-0958ND
2014-10-082706-019-09370.610 ppb
2014-10-082706-020-0918ND
2014-10-082706-021-0840ND
2014-10-082706-024-0858ND
2014-10-082706-025-0716ND
2014-10-082706-026-0820ND
2014-10-082706-029-0754ND
2014-10-082706-030-0737ND
2014-10-092706-005-1102ND
2014-12-092706-019-09480.760 ppb
2015-02-122706-019-12590.720 ppb
2015-05-052706-019-01360.850 ppb
2015-08-182706-007-1120ND
2015-08-182706-009-1052ND
2015-08-182706-011-1038ND
2015-08-182706-012-1138ND
2015-08-182706-014-1152ND
2015-08-182706-016-1026ND
2015-08-182706-032-1107ND
2015-08-192706-017-1050ND
2015-08-192706-018-1031ND
2015-08-192706-019-09510.620 ppb
2015-08-192706-020-0935ND
2015-08-192706-024-0856ND
2015-08-192706-025-0722ND
2015-08-192706-026-0835ND
2015-08-192706-029-0803ND
2015-08-192706-030-0743ND
2015-12-172706-005-0922ND
2016-03-232706-019-09361.10 ppb
2016-04-072706-033-0803ND
2016-06-072706-019-07221.40 ppb
2016-08-102706-005-0855ND
2016-08-102706-007-0918ND
2016-08-102706-009-0830ND
2016-08-102706-011-0941ND
2016-08-102706-012-1010ND
2016-08-102706-014-1026ND
2016-08-102706-016-0750ND
2016-08-102706-033-0728ND
2016-08-172706-017-0948ND
2016-08-172706-018-0922ND
2016-08-172706-019-10191.20 ppb
2016-08-172706-020-1046ND
2016-08-172706-024-0822ND
2016-08-172706-025-0717ND
2016-08-172706-026-0807ND
2016-08-172706-030-0743ND
2016-08-172706-032-0847ND
2017-01-102706-005-0856ND
2017-01-102706-007-1050ND
2017-01-102706-009-0826ND
2017-01-102706-011-0959ND
2017-01-102706-032-1030ND
2017-01-112706-012-1012ND
2017-01-112706-014-1115ND
2017-01-112706-016-0952ND
2017-01-112706-017-1103ND
2017-01-112706-018-1038ND
2017-01-112706-020-0931ND
2017-01-112706-024-0903ND
2017-01-112706-025-0725ND
2017-01-112706-026-0832ND
2017-01-112706-030-0802ND
2017-02-282706-010-0740ND
2017-02-282706-021-0835ND
2017-04-132706-029-0845ND
2017-05-189588-019-14001.20 ppb
2017-12-129588-033-1042ND
2017-12-269588-019-09060.700 ppb
2018-02-139588-005-1105ND
2018-02-139588-007-0900ND
2018-02-139588-009-0930ND
2018-02-139588-010-0945ND
2018-02-139588-011-1200ND
2018-02-139588-014-1255ND
2018-02-139588-016-1132ND
2018-02-139588-032-1020ND
2018-02-139588-033-1220ND
2018-02-149588-017-1136ND
2018-02-149588-020-1206ND
2018-02-149588-024-1226ND
2018-02-149588-026-1059ND
2018-02-149588-029-1039ND
2018-02-149588-030-1020ND
2018-02-219588-018-0925ND
2018-02-219588-019-10000.840 ppb
2018-02-219588-021-1047ND
2018-03-149588-012-1131ND
2018-03-269588-025-1035ND
2018-05-019588-019-11590.780 ppb
2018-08-089588-019-10130.630 ppb
2018-10-239588-018-1314ND
2018-11-069588-012-1045ND
2018-11-069588-019-10150.780 ppb
2019-01-159588-032-0755ND
2019-01-249588-025-0730ND
2019-01-249588-029-0905ND
2019-01-249588-030-0822ND
2019-01-259588-005-1048ND
2019-01-259588-009-1026ND
2019-01-259588-010-1008ND
2019-01-259588-020-0938ND
2019-01-259588-021-0840ND
2019-01-259588-026-0806ND
2019-01-309588-011-1030ND
2019-01-309588-019-08200.820 ppb
2019-01-309588-033-0735ND
2019-01-319588-014-1000ND
2019-01-319588-016-0930ND
2019-01-319588-017-1015ND
2019-01-319588-024-0820ND
2019-05-089588-010-1000ND
2019-05-089588-020-1030ND
2019-07-099588-020-0850ND
2019-09-309588-033-0830ND
2019-10-089588-019-10101.000 ppb