Government testing under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) found chromium-6, also called hexavalent chromium or chromium(VI), present in the City of Dodge City's groundwater supply, serving Ford County residents.
What the UCMR3 Nationwide Survey Was Designed to Learn, and Its Limits for One Household
The survey records hexavalent chromium detections at the water system level, not individual taps
The EPA monitored the Dodge City public water system from 2013 to 2015. All 16 samples detected chromium-6 above the laboratory reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L or ppb). The range of these detections was from just above 0.03 µg/L up to 1.0 µg/L, with a median detected concentration of 0.685 µg/L. However, these numbers represent system-wide sampling results, reflecting groundwater drawn from various wells supplying the community, not a specific household’s water condition.
Federal monitoring emphasizes occurrence data rather than compliance or safety levels
Hexavalent chromium currently lacks a federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), unlike total chromium which has an MCL of 100 µg/L. Because of this, detection does not imply any federal violation or safety concern. Knowing your home’s exact chromium-6 concentration requires certified laboratory testing of your tap water.
How the Documented Treatment Technology Removes or Neutralises the Constituent
Specialized filtration targets chromium(VI) effectively
Hexavalent chromium is chemically distinct and can be filtered from water using technology that captures dissolved Cr(VI) particles. The Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter, shipping ready to configure directly to consumers, uses proven filtration methods designed to reduce chromium-6 levels in household water. This treatment reduces the concentration of dissolved hexavalent chromium, supporting water quality preferences in homes.
How Oxidation State Changes Between the Well, the Distribution Main, and the Tap
Hexavalent chromium’s chemical form may shift within the water system
Chromium can exist in multiple oxidation states; hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is one form, while trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is another. Environmental conditions, including pH, oxygen levels, and disinfectant residuals, can influence chromium’s state between the well, distribution pipes, and your tap. Such transformations impact detectability and filtration effectiveness, making testing at the tap important for household-specific information.
What the Measured Range Means Against the Relevant Federal Standard, and What It Does Not Mean
Detected levels remain well below the total chromium federal MCL
The highest chromium-6 measurement in Dodge City’s water was 1.0 µg/L—far below the total chromium MCL of 100 µg/L. Since no federal MCL exists specifically for hexavalent chromium, these findings are informational and not safety determinations. Detection indicates presence and concentration measurement but does not classify water as unsafe or noncompliant.
Detection above a reporting level is not a federal violation
All 16 samples were reported as detected above the laboratory threshold but that does not indicate a regulatory problem or confirmed health threat. The EPA’s monitoring was to gather data on occurrence for future consideration.
What Changes for a Large Household, a Second Home, or a Seasonal Property
Water use patterns affect exposure but not detection
Larger households or seasonal properties with intermittent water use might observe variations in tap water chemistry due to stagnation or differing draw rates. However, the chromium-6 levels measured in the municipal system reflect supply conditions and do not change automatically by household size or occupancy.
Testing individual water samples remains key
Regardless of household size or usage, only a direct test of your home's water can confirm chromium-6 levels relevant to your specific consumption.
What Distinguishes This Problem from the Two Problems Most Often Confused with It
Chromium-6 versus total chromium
Hexavalent chromium is a specific oxidation state of chromium distinct from total chromium measurements, which include several forms. Total chromium MCLs do not directly regulate chromium-6.
Chromium-6 versus aesthetic water issues
Chromium in typical municipal ranges is not related to common aesthetic water problems such as iron staining or discoloration. Presence of chromium-6 does not predict taste or odor issues.
For households in Dodge City seeking to address chromium-6 concerns, the Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter offers a documented option tailored to reduce hexavalent chromium concentrations based on your own water test results.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-08-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of Dodge City (KS2005710), KS: 32 results across 2 listed contaminants, 30 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L