VOCs & pesticides
Trichloroethylene in U.S. tap water
32 public water systems across 12 U.S. states report Trichloroethylene in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 1 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
An industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing.
Why it's regulated
A known human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver.
At or above the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| El Monte, CA 2024 annual report | 0–5.5 ug/L | 1.1× the limit |
Within the federal limit (30)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Pomona, CA 2024 annual report | 0–2.7 ug/L |
| Tacoma, WA 2024 annual report | 1.4 |
| Goodyear, AZ 2024 annual report | 1.3 ug/L |
| Ontario, CA 2024 annual report | 0.78 ug/L |
| Tempe, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–0.7 ug/L |
| Tucson, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–1.16 ug/L |
| Mesa, AZ 2024 annual report | 0.54 ug/L |
| Bakersfield, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Hampton, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Newport News, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Cleveland, OH 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Columbus, OH 2025 annual report | Not detected |
| Fullerton, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Hampton, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| High Point, NC 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| James City County, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| James City County, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Madison, WI 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Mobile, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Montgomery, AL 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Nashville, TN 2023 annual report | Not detected |
| Newport News, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Pasadena, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Plano, TX 2024 annual report | 0–0 ug/L |
| South Bend, IN 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Stockton, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| York County, VA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| York County, VA 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
Frequently asked
+What is Trichloroethylene?
An industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing. A known human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver.
+What is the federal limit for Trichloroethylene in drinking water?
The federal MCL for Trichloroethylene is 5 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 Trichloroethylene over the federal limit?
1 of the 32 public water systems on The Water Map report Trichloroethylene at or above its federal limit, spanning 12 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Trichloroethylene 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 Trichloroethylene.