cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene is an organic chemical compound that can sometimes be found in drinking water supplies. It is categorized as an organic contaminant by regulatory agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for this chemical at 70 μg/L.
Health Effects
Exposure to cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene in drinking water above the regulatory limit can lead to adverse health effects. Specifically, long-term exposure to this contaminant is associated with liver and kidney damage. It is important to monitor water quality to prevent these potential health complications.
How cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene Gets Into Tap Water
The presence of cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene in water sources is typically linked to industrial activities. Specifically, it primarily enters drinking water systems through industrial discharge. Proper management and monitoring of industrial wastewater help prevent this chemical from entering public water supplies.
How to Remove cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene From Your Water
Water systems can utilize specific treatment technologies to remove cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene from drinking water. The primary treatment methods certified or commonly used for this contaminant include packed tower aeration and granular activated carbon filtration systems. These methods are highly effective at reducing the chemical's concentrations to safe levels.
Should You Test Your Water?
To check for the presence of cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene in your drinking water, you can review your local water utility's annual consumer confidence report or utilize the search tools on WaterQ. If you use a private well, periodic laboratory testing is recommended to ensure your water meets safety standards. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene dangerous in drinking water?
Yes, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene can be harmful if consumed in quantities exceeding the regulatory limit. Over time, exposure to this organic contaminant can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Maintaining levels below the EPA limit is essential to protect long-term health.
How does cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene get into tap water?
This contaminant typically enters the water supply through industrial discharge. Industrial facilities releasing waste can contaminate local surface or groundwater sources.
How can I remove cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene from my water?
You can remove cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene using treatment methods such as packed tower aeration or granular activated carbon. Many home water filtration systems utilize activated carbon technology to treat organic chemicals.
Source: EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and WaterQ National Database. For more contaminants, visit our contaminant library.
What actually removes vocs (benzene, tce, pce and related solvents)
Volatile organic compounds are the case where activated carbon genuinely shines — EPA lists granular activated carbon as the best available technology for most of them. Look for an NSF/ANSI 53 filter with a VOC reduction claim rather than a plain taste-and-odor cartridge. Because VOCs evaporate readily, they also enter the air during hot showers, so a whole-house carbon filter is worth considering when levels are high, not just a filter at the kitchen tap.
Works
- Carbon certified for lead (NSF 53)The cheapest thing that genuinely removes lead, cysts and many VOCs.
- Reverse osmosis (NSF 58)The broadest removal available at home: arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, PFAS, TDS.
- Catalytic carbonRequired for chloramine. Standard carbon barely touches it.
Will not fix this
- Ion-exchange water softener
- UV disinfection (NSF 55)
- Ion-exchange pitcher
Test before you buy.VOCs (benzene, TCE, PCE and related solvents) can't be seen, tasted or smelled, and the right hardware depends on the concentration you actually have. A certified lab test costs a fraction of the wrong filtration system. Start with your local water quality report, and get a mail-in lab test if you're on a private well.
Options that carry the right certification
Ordered cheapest-adequate first. Prices are indicative bands and move often.
| Product | Certification | Upfront | Per year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquasana AQ-5200 Under-SinkUnder-sink | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 and P473 certified.Catch:Carbon, not RO — no meaningful fluoride, nitrate or arsenic reduction. | $110–160 | $80–120 | Check price |
| SpringWell CF1 Whole-House CarbonWhole house | Catalytic carbon media, which is the grade required to reduce chloramine.Catch:Whole-house carbon protects showers and appliances but is not a substitute for a point-of-use lead or PFAS filter at the tap. | $900–1,400 | $0–100 | Check price |
| APEC ROES-50 EssenceUnder-sink | Built with WQA-certified components to NSF/ANSI 58.Catch:Needs an under-sink drain connection and a spare hole for the dedicated faucet. Strips minerals — some people dislike the flat taste. | $180–240 | $50–80 | Check price |
| Brita Elite Pitcher FilterPitcher | NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified, including a lead reduction claim.Catch:No fluoride, nitrate or arsenic reduction. Not PFAS-rated. | $25–40 | $50–70 | Check price |
Certification listings change. Before buying, confirm the current listing for the exact model in the NSF certified products database — a manufacturer's marketing page is not a certification. WaterQ earns a commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you; see our affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not medical or engineering advice.
For a full breakdown of certifications, running costs and the models worth considering, see our buying guide for vocs (benzene, tce, pce and related solvents).