Objectives To investigate the content of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride and explore the potential health hazards of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride in municipal water in the main urban area of Wuhan.

Methods Fourty monitoring stations of tap water from the municipal pipe network were set up in the main urban area of Wuhan, and the concentration of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride were determined in every quarter for 3 consecutive years. The probable health risks of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride via drinking water were estimated using health risk assessment model.

Results There was no statistically significant difference among annual average concentrations of trichloromethane (P=0.240) in municipal water in the main urban area of Wuhan from 2015 to 2017, but there was statistically significant difference among quarterly average concentrations of trichloromethane (P < 0.05). In addition, concentrations of trichloromethane in municipal water in Hanyang and Hankou area were higher than that in Wuchang area (P < 0.05). Carbon tetrachloride were mainly detected in first and second quarters of 2015. The detection rate in 2016 and 2017 was lower. The total carcinogenic risk of trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride in municipal water were between 1.87×10^-5/a and 3.08×10^-5/a from 2015 to 2017. Thereinto, the carcinogenic risk of trichloromethane occupied 99% of the total carcinogenic risk.

Conclusions The health risk of trichloromethane through drinking water in municipal water in the main urban area of Wuhan is acceptable, but the risk should be taken into consideration seriously. The health risk of carbon tetrachloride through drinking water is not obvious.