Benzene in U.S. Drinking Water
Health-based violation data for Benzene from EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Covers all community water systems with violations on record.
Benzene has been found in violation of EPA standards in 9 water systems across 4 states, with 124 total health-based violations recorded. The most affected states are New Jersey, Texas, Wisconsin.
Benzene is regulated under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and associated treatment technique requirements for public water systems. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) tracks every recorded violation nationwide and links it back to the specific public water system (PWSID), violation type, and begin date.
Across the United States, PlainEnviro's joined extract contains 124 health-based violation records carrying Benzene (EPA code 2990) across 9 active community water systems in 4 states. Raw record counts are highest in New Jersey, Texas, Wisconsin, with New Jersey accounting for 22 records across 1 system. Health-effect prose is shown only when the official ECHO substance name matches a verified topic; otherwise the portal stays silent rather than inventing guidance.
A health-based violation does not mean residents were necessarily harmed, it means the contaminant exceeded the federal MCL in a compliance sample, triggering notification and remediation requirements. States and utilities maintain primary enforcement responsibility. To check the status of a specific water system, request its most recent Consumer Confidence Report or consult the EPA's Drinking Water Watch portal for the corresponding state.
Violations by State
States ranked by number of health-based violations for Benzene.
| # | State | Violations | Systems Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | 22 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 21 | 1 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 18 | 1 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 3 | 1 |
Most Affected Water Systems
Top 50 water systems by number of Benzene health-based violations.
| Water System | State | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| PICNIC GROVE MOBILE HOMES | NJ | 22 |
| HART MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM | TX | 21 |
| LA VALLE WATERWORKS | WI | 18 |
| ROLLINSFORD WATER SEWER DIST | NH | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benzene in my water?
Benzene has been detected in violation of EPA health standards in 9 water systems across 4 states. To check your specific utility, look up your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - water systems are required to disclose all violations.
How many water systems have Benzene violations?
EPA SDWIS records show 9 community water systems with health-based Benzene violations, totaling 124 violations. These represent cases where the contaminant exceeded the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
Which states have the most Benzene violations?
The states with the most Benzene violations are: New Jersey (22 violations), Texas (21 violations), Wisconsin (18 violations), New Hampshire (3 violations).
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About This Data
Violation data is from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Only health-based violations are shown, these include Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Treatment Technique (TT) violations. Monitoring and reporting violations are excluded. Data may not reflect the most current enforcement actions.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SDWIS Federal Reporting Services
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.