Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is an industrial solvent that has been used all over the United States. Historically, this solvent has been used as a degreaser to clean metal parts. It also has lots of other industrial uses.

And, TCE can make people become very ill. It is a volatile organic compound that is found in drinking water all over the country. If you have TCE in your drinking water, you need to do something about it now. A lot of people suffer from TCE contamination.

The first thing you need to do is to stop drinking the TCE contaminated water. TCE is bad for you. While some low levels may be considered safe for consumption, I don't think any one should drink any amount of TCE. Why take chances?

If that means getting an alternate supply of water, then that's what you have to do. Alternate supplies can include a deeper well (assuming you are on well water), or a hook up to public water. Bottled water may be available for short term solutions.

Assuming that you can arrange for an alternate supply of water, the next thing you need to do is find out who caused this problem. Was there an industrial source nearby? Is there a closed landfill nearby? Was your property once a dump site for industrial activity?

Under state and federal laws, whoever owned and operated the property from which the TCE came is legally responsible for cleanup costs and the costs of providing drink-able water. The responsible parties have to remove the TCE from your property and they have to clean your drinking water.

In addition, you may also be able to receive grants and low interest loans from the state and federal government. Contamination which affects drinking water is always given a priority and arrangements are frequently available from the government to provide you with alternate water supplies at no cost to you.

What if you have TCE in your water and you purchase your water from a water company. Most public water providers have safe water. But occasionally, issues occur. If your water comes from a public water provider and it has TCE, its important that you notify your water provider. In turn, the provider should insure that steps are immediately taken to alert all customers of this problem and terminate the release of the TCE into the drinking water.

TCE victims may also consider filing insurance claims with homeowner policies. Your success will depend on the policy language and the state in which you are located. Even if the first response is no, persistence may turn a no into a yes, or at least something better than just a no.

Should you retain the services of a lawyer? That's up to you. If the problem is temporary and you don't believe you've been injured, then there is probably no need for a lawyer.

If on the other hand the exposure has been long term and you believe you've been injured or you believe the value of your property has been reduced, then you need competent legal advice.

There's a limited period of time in which to seek legal advice. If a lawsuit isn't filed within time, it will be barred forever.

In addition, if you believe the government is responsible for the TCE, there are probably even shorter time limits. And there might be limitations on the ability to seek relief from the government.

Nobody should have to drink degreaser. Unfortunately, groundwater all over the United States has TCE in it.

If that's the case, you need to protect yourself and your family. Don't wait, TCE is not something that your family should consume.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.