What Benzene is, and why it's regulated
What the EPA limit means
5 µg/L
Maximum Contaminant Level — the enforceable ceiling a supplier must stay under.
0.0 µg/L
Health goal (MCLG) — the level with no known health effect. It is a goal, not a legal limit, and is often zero for carcinogens.
SYR4
Where these measurements come from. Hover the tag for the EPA programme and years.
Where Benzene was found
The water suppliers reporting the highest levels, worst first. For lead and copper that is the 90th-percentile result the action level is written against; for Six-Year Review data, the 95th percentile of each system's samples.
| Supplier | City | State | Level vs EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettleman City Csd | Kettleman City | CA | 120 µg/L 2400% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Mount Hope Waterworks | Mount Hope | WI | 63.8 µg/L 1276% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Texas County Rwd #1 | Adams | OK | 25.2765 µg/L 506% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Waterville Fire District 1 | Waterville | VT | 24.756 µg/L 495% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Pollard Waterworks | Pollard | AR | 20.9 µg/L 418% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Signal Hill - City, Water Dept. | Signal Hill | CA | 13.15 µg/L 263% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Town of Hempstead Water Department | Hempstead | NY | 12.538 µg/L 251% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Ferron - Castle Valley Ssd | Castledale | UT | 7.9735 µg/L 159% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Dothan Utilities, City of | Dothan | AL | 7.875 µg/L 158% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Morgan County Quality Wd | Fort Morgan | CO | 7.835 µg/L 157% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Jackson Water System | Jackson | TN | 7.5325 µg/L 151% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Dalhart Municipal Water System | Dalhart | TX | 6.535 µg/L 131% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Fishkill Village | Fishkill | NY | 6.16 µg/L 123% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Mclain Village Water Dept | Salem | OR | 5.6 µg/L 112% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Fairmont | Fairmont | MN | 5.5 µg/L 110% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Nokomis | Nokomis | IL | 5.2 µg/L 104% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L |
| Comanche Co Rwd #2 | Elgin | OK | 4.82 µg/L 96% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Bethel Ash Wsc Bethel Plant | Athens | TX | 4.625 µg/L 93% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Linda County Water District | Marysville | CA | 4.48 µg/L 90% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| City of Reklaw | Reklaw | TX | 3.7 µg/L 74% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Lomita-City, Water Dept. | Lomita | CA | 3.65 µg/L 73% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Honaker, Town of | Honaker | VA | 3.48 µg/L 70% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Rollinsford Water Sewer Dist | Rollinsford | NH | 3.455 µg/L 69% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Halfway Wsc | Plainview | TX | 3.19 µg/L 64% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
| Cold Brook Fd Base Area | Wilmington | VT | 3.05 µg/L 61% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L |
Frequently asked questions about Benzene
What is Benzene in drinking water?
Benzene reaches water from fuel leaks and industrial discharge; it is a known human carcinogen.
What is the EPA limit for Benzene?
The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level for Benzene is 5 µg/L, and its health goal (MCLG) is 0.0 µg/L. A result above the limit means the supplier must act; the goal is the level at which no health effects are expected.
How common is Benzene in US tap water?
Of the 34,516 water suppliers with results on file, 174 detected Benzene — 0.5% of those tested.