When you fill a glass from your tap in Hempstead County, Arkansas, you might wonder about the invisible compounds that federal monitors examine in the public water system. Among them is 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a chlorinated solvent known as TCP, which historically entered water sources through various agricultural activities.
1. Pathway of 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Into Groundwater Over Decades
The chlorinated solvent was a soil fumigant primarily used between the 1950s and 1980s.
TCP persisted in the environment and gradually migrated downward into deep groundwater layers.
Surface water sources in Hempstead County reflect these legacy contamination pathways through monitoring data.
2. Reporting Level Sensitivity Compared to Common Metals
Federal sampling defines the reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP at 0.03 micrograms per liter, or parts per billion.
This threshold is thousands of times lower than routine reporting levels for many metals, reflecting the compound's detectability at very low concentrations.
Detecting TCP at or above this level means the compound has been instrumentally measured, not that it exceeds any federal safety standard.
3. Mapping Hempstead County's Agricultural Land Use to TCP Detections
The Hope Water Light Community public water system relies on surface water, influenced by historic agricultural activities in the region.
Federal monitoring from 2013–2015 shows no detected 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting level in this system, despite nine health-based EPA violations unrelated to 1,2,3-TCP.
These findings highlight the importance of considering agricultural history when understanding potential TCP presence.
4. Comparing Hempstead County's Data With Neighboring Regions
Nearby counties may show different detection patterns due to variations in source water and land use.
However, a lack of reported TCP in Hempstead's public system does not guarantee the same for all nearby communities or private wells.
Each public water system's record reflects its own sampling program and water source characteristics.
5. Preparing for Treatment Decisions: What to Note
Record whether your water is supplied by a public water system or a private well, as this affects what data applies.
Obtain recent, site-specific water testing for 1,2,3-trichloropropane to know your household's actual level.
Consider other water quality parameters and contaminants that may influence treatment needs.
6. Understanding Sampling Terminology in This Record
"Detected" means the constituent was measured above the minimum reporting level, not that it is unsafe or exceeds limits.
"Median" indicates the middle value of detections, useful for trend insight.
"Range" shows the spread between the lowest and highest detected levels in the sampling dataset.
Only a specific test of your own water for 1,2,3-trichloropropane can determine its presence and concentration at your household connection. Such a test, reported in micrograms per liter, will clarify whether a treatment approach like the Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which ships ready to configure for residential use, is suitable for your needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-07. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Hope Water Light Comm. (AR0000230), AR: 8 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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