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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that dissolve in water and vaporize into air. VOCs are commonly found in products such as gasoline, fuels, solvents, paints, cleaners, and degreasers; and can enter well water through industrial activity, landfills, gas stations, dry cleaners, and improper waste disposal. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), once VOCs are released in groundwater, some of them can make their way into private water wells. Wells that are old, shallow, in disrepair, or located near commercial or industrial areas are at greater risks.
VOCs can pose a health risk not only through drinking contaminated water but also by inhaling them during activities like showering or through skin absorption. Long-term exposure to VOCs above health limits may damage the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys, and some are also known to cause cancer.
When should I test for VOCs in my well water?
The US EPA has over 50 organic chemicals (not including PFAS) that they have set maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG) for public water systems. For any organic chemical known to cause cancer, the MCL is set at zero. We recommend that well owners follow these same guidelines, even though well water quality is unregulated. To view a list of these chemicals and their corresponding MCLs, please visit the Organic Chemicals, except for PFAS section on the EPA's National Primary Drinking Water Regulations webpage.
To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?". When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if they are in your drinking water. VOCs require a separate test, so it is important to also consider multiple tests to analyze the quality of your well water.
What treatment should I use if there are VOCs in my well water?
How do I remove VOCs from my water?
If VOCs are detected above safe limits, options include drilling a new well, repairing the existing well, or removing the source of contamination. Treatment should be considered only if other options are not possible. If treatment is your only solution, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for many common constituents, including VOCs, in well water.
The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove VOCs by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I get local help and information about VOCs in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional – We would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – They may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs (including yours), or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – The contractor that drilled your well, or other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby, including VOCs, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue.
Research online – You should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there may be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs”, “my state groundwater quality”, or “my state well water quality”.
Contact us directly – If these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (This is a free service funded by the US EPA).
Additional Resources
Home Water Treatment. Minnesota Department of Health.
VOCs and well water: What you need to know. Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division.
VOCs In Private Drinking Water Wells. Minnesota Department of Health. 2009.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). United State Geological Survey.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) & Well Water. Water Systems Council.
Volatile Organic Compounds in Drinking Water. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2019.
Well Owners Handbook. Minnesota Department of Health. 2014.
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