Inorganic chemicals
Trichloroacetic acid in U.S. tap water
30 public water systems across 8 U.S. states report Trichloroacetic acid in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 1 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
A haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.
Why it's regulated
One of the five haloacetic acids regulated together as HAA5.
At or above the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE 2024 annual report | 2.97 mg/L | 49.5× the limit |
Within the federal limit (27)
Frequently asked
+What is Trichloroacetic acid?
A haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. One of the five haloacetic acids regulated together as HAA5.
+What is the federal limit for Trichloroacetic acid in drinking water?
The federal Public health goal for Trichloroacetic acid is 0.1 ug/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Trichloroacetic acid over the federal limit?
1 of the 30 public water systems on The Water Map report Trichloroacetic acid at or above its federal limit, spanning 8 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Trichloroacetic acid is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Trichloroacetic acid.