未经处理和处理的饮用水中都含有三氯乙烯和相关溶剂。一般来说，地下水而不是地表水更有可能含有大量此类化合物。饮用水中有机物的严重性，以及可接受限度的确定，是美国环保局当前关注的问题。正在进行的研究正在评估各种处理工艺在去除水中挥发性有机物方面的有效性。研究结果表明，这些有机物可以通过曝气、在颗粒活性炭或合成树脂上吸附和煮沸（使用时）去除。还讨论了有效治疗费用的初步估计。讨论的化合物:四氯乙烯，1,1,1- 三氯乙烷、顺-1,2-二氯乙烯、四氯化碳和1,2二氯乙烷。包括49个参考文献、表格、图表。

Trichloroethylene and related solvents occur in both untreated and treated drinking water. In general, groundwaters rather than surface waters are more likely to have significant concentrations of these compounds. The seriousness of organics in drinking water, and thus the establishment of acceptable limits, is of current concern to USEPA. Ongoing research is evaluating the effectiveness of various treatment processes in removing volatile organics from water. Results of studies that indicate that these organics can be removed by aeration, adsorption on granular activated carbon or a synthetic resin, and boiling (at the point of use) are described. Also discussed are preliminary estimates of costs for effective treatment. Compounds discussed: tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, and 1,2dichloroethane. Includes 49 references, tables, figures.