Trichloroethylene in U.S. Drinking Water
Health-based violation data for Trichloroethylene from EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Covers all community water systems with violations on record.
Trichloroethylene has been found in violation of EPA standards in 18 water systems across 5 states, with 126 total health-based violations recorded. The most affected states are California, Pennsylvania, Alabama.
Trichloroethylene 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 126 health-based violation records carrying Trichloroethylene (EPA code 2984) across 18 active community water systems in 5 states. Raw record counts are highest in California, Pennsylvania, Alabama, with California accounting for 9 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 Trichloroethylene.
| # | State | Violations | Systems Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 9 | 1 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 5 | 2 |
| 3 | Alabama | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 4 | 1 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 1 | 1 |
Most Affected Water Systems
Top 50 water systems by number of Trichloroethylene health-based violations.
| Water System | State | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| EL PORTAL MOBILE ESTATES | CA | 9 |
| OXFORD WATER WORKS & SEWER BOARD | AL | 4 |
| LEXINGTON | OK | 4 |
| EAST COCALICO TOWNSHIP AUTH | PA | 3 |
| TRUMBAUERSVILLE MUN WATERWORKS | PA | 2 |
| CHEROKEE WATER SYSTEM | NC | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trichloroethylene in my water?
Trichloroethylene has been detected in violation of EPA health standards in 18 water systems across 5 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 Trichloroethylene violations?
EPA SDWIS records show 18 community water systems with health-based Trichloroethylene violations, totaling 126 violations. These represent cases where the contaminant exceeded the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
Which states have the most Trichloroethylene violations?
The states with the most Trichloroethylene violations are: California (9 violations), Pennsylvania (5 violations), Alabama (4 violations), Oklahoma (4 violations), North Carolina (1 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.