[Effects of soil and ground water pollution with perchloroethylene from the public health service viewpoint]

A routine analysis of drinking water conducted in September 1987 in a Rhenish water works revealed a perchloroethylene (PER) content of 3 micrograms/l. Within less than 3 months the concentration in the two northern wells of the entire battery consisting of 4 wells rose to 20 micrograms/l, and hence the complete battery had to be shut off from the water supply network. The pumped-up water was diverted to a draining plant via the precipitation tank of the water works. During the two subsequent months the PER concentration continued to rise, especially in well No. 1, to more than 120 micrograms/l. The present report deals with the measures undertaken to assess the extent of the damage and the effects of the incident on drinking water supply, on the storage of foods in a warehouse, on a planned sewer construction and on the systems installed by various parties for their own water supply, and on wells in private gardens and in a gardening nursery.