If you notice a chemical taste or smell, or you have concerns about water quality, you might wonder what the cause is. For residents served by the Security Water District in El Paso County, one detected compound is 1,4-dioxane. Here is what to consider when deciding how to address it for your home water supply.
What should I check first to understand if 1,4-dioxane is affecting my household water?
Before considering treatment, start with the least expensive and simplest steps. First, verify what water source your household uses, as the public water system for your area depends on surface water. Consult the latest water quality report or your water supplier’s data. Since the Security Water District’s data from 2013-2015 shows multiple detections of 1,4-dioxane at levels well below any federal health benchmark, the next step is to have your individual water tested by a qualified laboratory. This test will confirm your household’s specific concentration.
Which water fixtures or appliances are affected by 1,4-dioxane first, and why does it matter?
1,4-dioxane is a synthetic chemical that can be soluble in water, so it travels with the flow and can enter all household water outlets. It does not concentrate in specific fixtures but is present wherever water goes. Appliances or fixtures that use large volumes of water, like showers, faucets, and dishwashers, will be impacted first since they draw directly from the water supply. Knowing which uses contribute most to your household’s total water consumption can help target treatment effectively.
How does 1,4-dioxane concentration vary with season or over multiple years in this area?
The federal occurrence monitoring for the Security Water District reported 38 measurements over roughly ten months in 2014. Of those, 26 results were detections all below 0.17 micrograms per liter, with a median of 0.1 micrograms per liter. This shows some variation within that period but does not indicate increasing or decreasing trends. Because sampling was limited to that timeframe, seasonal or yearly fluctuations beyond 2014 cannot be fully determined from this data alone.
Can I compare this 1,4-dioxane data with neighboring counties to decide on treatment?
Comparisons with adjacent counties require caution because water sources, treatment methods, and industrial or environmental factors can differ substantially. While El Paso County's record shows certain detection levels, neighboring counties may have different patterns. Such comparisons should not substitute for local water quality testing, as each system’s data reflects its own unique conditions.
How do water source and system characteristics influence what I should expect about 1,4-dioxane levels?
The Security Water District uses surface water, which can be more susceptible to certain chemical detections compared to groundwater due to environmental exposure. The recorded detections represent the system’s supply, not household plumbing. Depth of wells or type of water source alters chemical concentrations; surface water systems often show more variable contaminant levels because of rainfall, runoff, and seasonal changes. Understanding your system’s source helps set expectations but cannot replace testing your own water.
For households weighing options to address 1,4-dioxane, the Autotrol 1,4-Dioxane Filter is a documented solution designed specifically to reduce this chemical from water. This equipment ships ready to configure for home water treatment needs. Selecting the right approach depends on your water's measured 1,4-dioxane concentration and your household's water use patterns.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-10-27. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Security WSD (CO0121775), CO: 38 results across 1 listed contaminants, 26 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL; EPA cancer risk reference concentration 0.35 ug/L
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