Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in Drinking Water: Health Risks, Sources, and How to Remove It
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is an organic chemical compound that can sometimes contaminate drinking water supplies. It is classified as an organic contaminant under federal regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Tetrachloroethylene in public water systems at 5 μg/L.
Health Effects
Consuming water containing Tetrachloroethylene over long periods can lead to liver problems. Additionally, exposure to this contaminant is associated with an increased cancer risk. It is important to monitor and limit long-term exposure to prevent these adverse health effects.
How Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) Gets Into Tap Water
Tetrachloroethylene is commonly used in dry cleaning processes and metal degreasing operations. It can enter drinking water sources through industrial discharge from facilities using these chemical processes. Runoff and soil contamination from industrial sites can lead to the chemical leaching into ground and surface water.
How to Remove Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) From Your Water
Water treatment methods such as granular activated carbon and packed tower aeration are effective at reducing Tetrachloroethylene levels in drinking water. Public water utilities utilize these technologies to keep levels below the regulatory limit. Home filtration systems utilizing certified carbon media are also commonly used for this type of organic contaminant.
Should You Test Your Water?
To check if Tetrachloroethylene is in your drinking water, you can review your local water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report or use the WaterQ search tool. If you use a private well near industrial areas, regular testing through a certified laboratory is recommended. You can also look up your local water system on WaterQ or check the Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) data page for reported levels in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) dangerous in drinking water?
Yes, long-term exposure to Tetrachloroethylene in drinking water can be hazardous. It can cause liver problems and is associated with an increased cancer risk. Ensuring your water meets the federal safety standard of 5 μg/L is important for protecting your health.
How does Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) get into tap water?
Tetrachloroethylene typically enters tap water through industrial discharge. Common sources of this contamination include dry cleaning businesses and metal degreasing operations.
How can I remove Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) from my water?
It can be removed using treatment methods such as granular activated carbon or packed tower aeration. Home filtration systems designed for organic chemical removal can also be effective.
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).