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Shortlist

Class of compounds

VOCs in drinking water

Also listed as VOC

Volatile organic compounds from solvents and fuels. Some are carcinogenic.

This page can’t tell you what’s in your tap water.
Only a test of water from your own tap can. Public-system results describe the system, not your home.
6 sources
01Check your water systemWater Check · system results, not your tap02Test your tapHow to get a reliable result03Treatment approachesWhat can reduce it at the tap
On this page · 10 sections
  1. 01Reference values
  2. 02Is it in my water?
  3. 03Where it comes from
  4. 04Testing
  5. 05Water filters
  6. 06Treatment
  7. 07Evidence
  8. 08Next steps
  9. 09Ask about VOCs
  10. 10References
Reference values

There’s no single reference number for “VOCs”.

Each value says what kind of reference it is, and they mean different things. A lower or missing number never means water is safe.

VOCs is a class of many chemicals. References and test results apply to named compounds.

Compounds with their own page

A claim or a number for one compound never stands for “VOCs” as a whole.

Is it in my water?

Only a test of your own tap can tell.

Choose what you have. We’ll show what it can and can’t tell you.

If you haven’t tested
Nobody can tell without a measurement, including us.

Three things you can do, in this order.

Test water from your tapThis is the only way to know your level. Testing guidance ↓See what your system reportsSystem results aren’t a tap measurement. Open Water Check →On a private well?Public-system reports don’t cover wells. Open Well Water →
Where it comes from

Where it comes from

  1. Industrial or agricultural activity, fuel spills, or disinfection processes
  2. Dry cleaning operations and metal degreasing facilities
  3. Evaporation from contaminated groundwater and soil
Why it matters
Tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene are classified as human carcinogens; exposure may increase risk of bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and lymphomas.
High-level exposure to trichloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene can cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, liver and kidney damage, and changes in heart rhythm. · Exposure to low levels of tetrachloroethylene over time may cause mood and memory changes, reduced attention, and slower reaction time.
Testing

How to test your tap water for VOCs

VOCs typically have no taste, smell, or color at concentrations found in drinking water; testing by a certified laboratory is the only reliable way to determine their presence.

  1. 01Use a certified labA state-certified lab, or a kit that sends samples to one.
  2. 02Follow the sampling stepsHow and when you collect the water changes the result.
  3. 03Check the reportIt should state units and the detection limit.
Certified labNot sponsored
Use a state-certified labYour state keeps a list of labs certified for drinking water.

Choosing a filter for VOCs

None qualify
No products currently qualify for a VOCs pick here.

Nothing in our database has a VOCs claim for an exact configuration we can verify.

Find a fit in FinderRead treatment approaches
Treatment

How to reduce VOCs in water

Removing VOCs requires forcing air through water to evaporate them, or using activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems certified for VOC reduction.
How to reduce VOCsActivated carbon is highly effective at most VOCs, so look for NSF/ANSI 53, which certifies VOC reduction. Reverse osmosis paired with carbon covers the broadest range.
Whole-house systems and point-of-use filters treat different water. A whole-house system treats water where it enters the home; a point-of-use filter treats the tap it’s installed on. Check which one a claim is for.
Evidence

What the evidence means

We keep evidence types apart. A result for one configuration never stands in for another, and we never average across types.

No product in our database holds a reduction record for VOCs yet.

How we read evidence →

Next steps

Take the next step

Match a system to your homeFinder asks about your home first. It suggests VOCs as a starting point, and nothing counts until you confirm it.
Ask about VOCs

Still have a question?

Answers come only from WaterDecoder’s reviewed sources and show citations. Ask can’t interpret your test result or choose a product. Don’t include personal details.

AI assistant

Ask about VOCs

Answers draw on cited public-health sources and the filters certified to reduce VOCs. Every source is linked, and if the sources don’t cover a question, the answer says so.

Questions to start with

Educational information from cited sources. Not medical or professional advice.

References

Where these facts come from

  1. 1Knowledge BaseQuick Guide to NSF Certified Water Filters for VOCsTap Score (SimpleLab)
  2. 2Knowledge BaseCommunity Guide to Air StrippingEPA
  3. 3Knowledge BaseToxFAQs for Tetrachloroethylene (PERC)ATSDR/CDC
  4. 4Knowledge BaseToxFAQs for Trichloroethylene (TCE)ATSDR/CDC
  5. 5Knowledge BaseOverview of Drinking Water Treatment TechnologiesUS EPA (SDWA program)
  6. 6Knowledge BaseGuidelines for Testing Well WaterCDC (Division of Drinking Water Safety)

Written and maintained by WaterDecoder. A review date appears only once we have confirmed one.

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