Benzene in Drinking Water
Organic Chemical · MCL: 5 ppb · 0 systems exceeding limit
Overview
Benzene is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act with an MCL of 5 ppb. The EPA Safe Drinking Water program sets and enforces the maximum contaminant levels shown here.
Health Effects
Exposure to Benzene above the MCL of 5 ppb may cause adverse health effects. Consult EPA fact sheets for detailed information.
Sources of Contamination
Benzene can enter drinking water from natural deposits, industrial discharges, or other sources.
Treatment & Removal
Treatment methods for Benzene include activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and specialized media.
How to Remove Benzene From Water
These filtration methods are effective for reducing Benzene in drinking water:
| Filter Method | Effectiveness | Cost Range | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | High (varies) | $200-500 (under-sink) | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Activated Carbon Block | Moderate (varies) | $30-100 (pitcher/faucet) | NSF/ANSI 53 |
Reverse Osmosis (RO), details
Reverse osmosis is effective against most dissolved contaminants. Check specific certifications for this contaminant.
Activated Carbon Block, details
Effectiveness varies by contaminant. Look for filters specifically certified for this substance.
Water Systems with Benzene Detected
Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tucson City Of
Tucson, Arizona
Milwaukee Waterworks
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County
Shelton, Connecticut
St Louis City Pws
St Louis, Missouri
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
Kansas City, Kansas
Aquarion-Stamford
Shelton, Connecticut
Cambridge Water Department
Cambridge, Massachusetts
West Jordan City Water System
West Jordan, Utah
Broken Arrow Municipal Authority
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Las Cruces Municipal Water System
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
Benzene has been detected in 0 water systems that exceed the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 5 ppb, affecting approximately 0 people. Check your local water system's annual Consumer Confidence Report or search by ZIP code on this site.
Exposure to Benzene above the MCL of 5 ppb may cause adverse health effects. Consult EPA fact sheets for detailed information.
Effective filtration methods for Benzene include Reverse Osmosis (RO), Activated Carbon Block. Look for filters certified to NSF/ANSI standards for Benzene removal. See the detailed comparison table above for effectiveness ratings and cost ranges.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Benzene is 5 ppb. The MCL Goal (MCLG), the level with no known health risk, is 0 ppb. Water systems must test regularly and notify customers if levels exceed the MCL.