If you need VOC water analysis in CT, professional testing can determine whether volatile organic chemicals are present in your drinking water. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that may originate from gasoline, heating oil, solvents, industrial products, paints, cleaners, degreasers, dry-cleaning chemicals and other manufactured materials. Professional Volatile Organic Chemical water analysis in Connecticut can help identify possible contamination in private wells and other drinking water supplies.
Many VOCs evaporate readily when exposed to air, which is why they are described as volatile. However, when these chemicals enter soil or groundwater, they may travel beneath the surface and affect nearby wells. A VOC water analysis is often recommended when a property is located near a fuel spill, industrial site, dry cleaner, automotive facility, underground storage tank or another potential source of chemical contamination.
What Causes VOCs in Connecticut Drinking Water?
Volatile organic chemicals are not generally introduced into water through ordinary household plumbing. They are more commonly associated with releases of fuels, solvents and industrial chemicals into the environment. Once released, certain compounds may move through soil and enter groundwater used by private wells.
Possible reasons to request a Volatile Organic Chemical water analysis in CT include:
- Leaking underground fuel-storage tanks
- Heating-oil spills or tank failures
- Gasoline or diesel fuel releases
- Industrial and manufacturing operations
- Dry-cleaning facilities
- Automotive repair and body shops
- Paints, thinners, solvents and degreasers
- Improper chemical storage or disposal
- Landfills and former disposal areas
- Contaminated soil or groundwater migrating from a nearby property
- Historical commercial or industrial activity
- Disinfection byproducts in certain treated water supplies
Some VOC contamination produces a chemical, gasoline-like or solvent odor. However, many VOCs may be present without an obvious taste, smell or visible change in the water. A professional VOC water analysis in Connecticut is therefore the reliable way to determine whether these chemicals are present and at what concentrations.
VOC concentrations can vary from property to property based on the contamination source, groundwater flow, geology, well depth and distance from the release. Even neighboring wells may produce different results, making property-specific VOC water analysis important whenever contamination is suspected.
What Does a VOC Water Analysis Test For?
The laboratory report used for this page analyzes drinking water using EPA Method 524.3. The sample report lists more than 50 volatile and related organic compounds. These include fuel-related chemicals, chlorinated solvents, trihalomethanes, petroleum constituents and several compounds associated with industrial or commercial chemical use. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The compounds included on this Volatile Organic Chemical water analysis report are:
- 1,3-Dichlorobenzene
- 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
- 1,2-Dichlorobenzene
- Naphthalene
- 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
- Benzene
- Bromobenzene
- Bromochloromethane
- Bromodichloromethane
- Bromoform
- Bromomethane
- n-Butylbenzene
- sec-Butylbenzene
- tert-Butylbenzene
- Carbon tetrachloride
- Chlorobenzene
- Chlorodibromomethane
- trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
- Trichloroethene
- Chloroethane
- cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
- trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
- Chloroform
- m-Xylene
- p-Xylene
- Chloromethane
- o-Chlorotoluene
- p-Chlorotoluene
- Dibromomethane
- 1,1-Dichloroethane
- 1,2-Dichloroethane
- 1,1-Dichloroethylene
- cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
- Dichlorodifluoromethane
- Methylene chloride
- 1,2-Dichloropropane
- 1,3-Dichloropropane
- 2,2-Dichloropropane
- 1,1-Dichloropropene
- 1,3-Dichloropropene
- Ethylbenzene
- Fluorotrichloromethane
- Hexachlorobutadiene
- Isopropylbenzene
- p-Isopropyltoluene
- MTBE
- n-Propylbenzene
- Styrene
- 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
- 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
- Tetrachloroethylene
- Toluene
- 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene
- 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
- 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
- 1,2,3-Trichloropropane
- 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
- 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
- Vinyl chloride
- o-Xylene
- Total Trihalomethanes
This broad VOC water analysis includes compounds commonly associated with gasoline and petroleum products, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes and MTBE. It also includes chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethylene, methylene chloride and several forms of dichloroethane, dichloroethylene and trichloroethane.
The test also includes trihalomethanes such as chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane and chlorodibromomethane. Trihalomethanes may form when chlorine used for water disinfection reacts with naturally occurring organic matter.
A Volatile Organic Chemical water analysis in Connecticut may be appropriate for private-well owners, home buyers, businesses, commercial property owners, child care providers, schools, landlords and properties located near known or suspected contamination sources.
VOC samples require careful collection because the compounds may escape from the sample if the container contains air bubbles or is not handled correctly. The sample should be collected in the appropriate laboratory-provided containers and transported according to laboratory requirements so the VOC water analysis accurately represents the water supply.
If volatile organic chemicals are detected, the appropriate next step depends upon the compound, concentration, water source and suspected origin of the contamination. Additional investigation, confirmatory testing or water treatment may be recommended. Treatment options may include activated-carbon systems, aeration or other equipment selected for the compounds identified.
We provide professional VOC water analysis in CT and Volatile Organic Chemical water analysis throughout Connecticut. Whether you are evaluating a private well, purchasing a property, investigating an environmental concern or monitoring drinking-water quality, professional laboratory analysis can provide accurate information regarding VOCs in your water supply.
Call today to schedule a water analysis for volatile organic chemicals in your Connecticut drinking water!
888-558-1574