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An environmental watchdog says several Minnesota communities have a potentially harmful chemical in their drinking water. 

Chemical in drinking water has dropped to safe levels in five communities

The Washington D.C.-based Environmental Working Group 

, and found that the drinking water supplies in at least 15 Minnesota communities test positive for trichloroethylene, or TCE, though none exceed the federal limit of 5 parts per billion. 

TCE is linked to cancer and birth defects, among other things, and the Environmental Working Group argues that exposure to even small quantities can be harmful. 

The findings are part of a national assessment that looked at 321 public water systems in 36 states. The Environmental Working Group found that about half of those systems contained average annual levels of TCE that were above levels some health professions say is safe for infants and fetuses. 

Minnesota has a much stricter TCE limit at point four parts per billion, though it's not legally enforceable. The EWG report shows that four Minnesota communities - Edina, Bayport, Spring Park and Minnesota Veterans Home - slightly exceed the state suggested limit.

EWG found TCE tested at four parts per billion in Spring Grove in southeast Minnesota, though the report notes that the town took steps this year to lower TCE levels.

Environmental News

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Catharine Richert

Author

An environmental watchdog says several Minnesota communities have a potentially harmful chemical in their drinking water.

Report: Chemical found in drinking water of several Minn. communities

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