VOCs in Well Water: Fuel and Solvent Chemicals (Benzene, TCE, PCE)
Short answer: VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals from fuel, solvents and degreasers. Test for them if your well is near a gas station, fuel tank, dry cleaner, landfill or industrial site, or if the water smells like fuel.
Official limits (selected)
| Chemical | US EPA | Health Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Benzene | 5 µg/L | 5 µg/L |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) | 5 µg/L | 5 µg/L |
| Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) | 5 µg/L | 10 µg/L |
| Vinyl chloride | 2 µg/L | 2 µg/L |
| Toluene | 1,000 µg/L | 60 µg/L (taste/odour 24) |
| MTBE (fuel additive) | No federal limit | Aesthetic objective 15 µg/L |
How to test
Ask for a VOC scan by EPA method 524.2 or 524.3. The lab gives special vials, often with preservative: fill them with no air bubbles and keep them cold.
Official data example
New Jersey tests VOCs in every home sale with a well. From 2002 to 2024, 2.4% of tested wells in Middlesex County and 1.6% in Camden County exceeded a limit for at least one VOC. See the county pages.
What results mean
Any detection is worth a retest and a call to your state environment agency, which may know about a nearby spill. Health Canada notes that for many VOCs, showering and bathing also count as exposure, not just drinking.
Sources
- EPA: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- Health Canada: Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, summary table (Dec 2025)
- NJDEP open data: PWTA summary results by county (2002–2024)
Questions
What are VOCs in well water?
Chemicals that evaporate easily, such as benzene from fuel and TCE or PCE from solvents. They usually come from spills, leaking tanks or waste sites.
What test should I ask for?
A VOC scan by EPA method 524.2 or 524.3 from a state-certified lab.
Does New Jersey require VOC testing?
Yes. The Private Well Testing Act lists volatile organic compounds among required tests at sale.
Free well water checklist
15 family-friendly steps based on CDC and EPA guidance. Print it, keep it on the fridge, and know when to call a certified lab.
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