1,1-Dichloroethylene in Broward County Florida Water

Unhealthy Levels of 1,1-Dichloroethylene in the Water Supply of Broward County Florida Homes

1,1-dichloroethylene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can enter groundwater when industrial solvents or related chemicals affect aquifers. In Broward County, where much of our drinking water comes from the Biscayne Aquifer, VOCs that evaporate readily can impact both the water you use and the air in your home during showers, laundry, and dishwashing. Because it usually has no obvious taste, smell, or color, testing is the only reliable way to know whether it’s present. If test results show elevated levels, addressing the water where it first enters your house is a practical next step.

Even when tap water looks clear in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, or other Broward County neighborhoods, low-level VOCs like 1,1-dichloroethylene can still be present and change over time. Many families prefer to lower exposure for everyday activities—cooking, brushing teeth, bathing—rather than treating only one faucet. A whole-house system treats water for the entire home, so showers, kitchen sinks, and appliances all receive the same treated water. That single-solution approach is often the simplest way to protect routine household use across the property.