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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Trichloroethylene

Pritchett Water Supply Corporation

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

 

70

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
2014ND50ND
2015ND130ND
2016ND150ND
2017ND130ND
2018ND120ND
2019ND120ND

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
2014-01-22Q1402022003ND
2014-01-22Q1402022001ND
2014-06-25Q1423783017ND
2014-06-25Q1423783015ND
2014-06-25Q1423783012ND
2015-03-12Q1509329005ND
2015-06-23Q1523522024ND
2015-06-23Q1523522022ND
2015-06-23Q1523522026ND
2015-06-23Q1523522028ND
2015-06-23Q1523522030ND
2015-06-23Q1523522032ND
2015-06-23Q1523522035ND
2015-06-23Q1523522012ND
2015-06-23Q1523522013ND
2015-06-23Q1523522016ND
2015-06-23Q1523522018ND
2015-06-23Q1523522034ND
2016-02-25Q1608021004ND
2016-02-25Q1608021002ND
2016-02-25Q1608021005ND
2016-02-25Q1608021008ND
2016-02-25Q1608021010ND
2016-02-25Q1608021012ND
2016-05-25Q1620685009ND
2016-05-25Q1620685006ND
2016-05-25Q1620685011ND
2016-10-24Q1645066020ND
2016-10-24Q1645066018ND
2016-10-24Q1645066011ND
2016-10-24Q1645066015ND
2016-10-24Q1645066010ND
2016-10-24Q1645066014ND
2017-03-02Q1709045011ND
2017-08-29Q1739153076ND
2017-08-29Q1739153013ND
2017-08-29Q1739153065ND
2017-08-29Q1739153061ND
2017-08-29Q1739153067ND
2017-08-29Q1739153064ND
2017-08-29Q1739153069ND
2017-08-29Q1739153072ND
2017-08-29Q1739153010ND
2017-08-29Q1739153074ND
2017-08-30Q1739907001ND
2017-08-30Q1739907010ND
2018-06-05Q1822214014ND
2018-06-05Q1822214002ND
2018-06-05Q1822214004ND
2018-06-05Q1822214005ND
2018-06-05Q1822214008ND
2018-06-05Q1822214010ND
2018-06-05Q1822214012ND
2018-06-05Q1822214016ND
2018-06-05Q1822214017ND
2018-06-05Q1822214019ND
2018-06-05Q1822214021ND
2018-06-05Q1822214023ND
2019-10-15Q1972651016ND
2019-10-15Q1972651026ND
2019-10-15Q1972651018ND
2019-10-15Q1972651028ND
2019-10-15Q1972651001ND
2019-10-15Q1972651030ND
2019-10-15Q1972651020ND
2019-10-15Q1972651032ND
2019-10-15Q1972651034ND
2019-10-15Q1972651003ND
2019-10-15Q1972651036ND
2019-10-15Q1972651005ND