Menu

EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

Donate

Trichloroethylene

Aqua Pa Superior Main System

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.

 

26

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND50ND
2015N/A00N/A
2016ND70ND
2017ND80ND
2018ND40ND
2019ND20ND

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
2014-10-022032470002ND
2014-10-022032470001ND
2014-10-022032470004ND
2014-10-022032470005ND
2014-10-022032470003ND
2016-09-0614913031ND
2016-09-0814912911ND
2016-09-0814912932ND
2016-09-0814912953ND
2016-09-0814912974ND
2016-09-0814912995ND
2016-11-0315230810ND
2017-02-2215660478ND
2017-04-2615942800ND
2017-04-2615942821ND
2017-04-2615942779ND
2017-04-2615942758ND
2017-04-2615942737ND
2017-04-2615942716ND
2017-08-1016571418ND
2018-03-14AF78842ND
2018-05-29AF85267ND
2018-07-31AF91266ND
2018-08-09AF92390ND
2019-08-08AG27413ND
2019-08-08AG27411ND