The Occurrence of Volatile Organic Compounds in Wastewater, Sludges and Groundwater at Selected Wastewater Treatment Plants in Wisconsin

Introduction: Over the past decade, researchers have focussed increasing attention on volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) as groundwater pollutants. VOC’s have a variety of domestic, commercial and industrial sources, including household cleaners, pesticides, paint thinners, dry cleaning agents and metal degreasers. As the manufacture and use of products containing VOC’s increases, the chance for them to contaminate groundwater also increases. VOC’s can enter the groundwater when chemical spills occur, from waste disposal to land, and from leaky underground storage tanks. Another means by which VOC’s enter the groundwater is from the land disposal of wastewater effluents and sludges containing VOC’s. This pathway of contamination has only recently been recognized and researched.