Pentek Chromium-6 Filter

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The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) public water system record for the City of Bismarck reports chromium-6 in surface water used by residents in Burleigh County. Sampling from 2013 to 2015 detected chromium-6 concentrations in all eight tested samples, ranging from 0.03 to 0.7 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). No federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) exists specifically for chromium-6, and Bismarck's water system shows zero health-based violations for chromium or chromium-6 under EPA's records.

Trivalent Versus Hexavalent Chromium: Why Total Chromium Can't Tell the Whole Story

Different Oxidation States Have Different Properties

Chromium occurs in multiple oxidation states, but the two most relevant in water are chromium(III) and chromium(VI), also called trivalent and hexavalent chromium respectively. Total chromium measurements sum all forms and do not distinguish between these states. Since hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) is the species of concern in residential water for its distinct chemical behavior, total chromium levels—even when measured—do not reveal exactly how much chromium-6 is present.

Government Data Separates Hexavalent Chromium

The EPA public water system monitoring for Bismarck includes dedicated chromium-6 testing, giving a clearer picture of the hexavalent chromium present in the surface water source beyond total chromium readings.

Geogenic Hexavalent Chromium in Arid and Alkaline Aquifers Versus Industrial Plating Sources

Natural Sources in Bismarck's Region

Hexavalent chromium can be found naturally in some groundwater sources due to soil and rock compositions, particularly in arid or alkaline environments. These geogenic contributions may raise chromium-6 levels in water drawn from such aquifers.

Industrial Contributions Typically Are Localized

Chromium-6 also can enter water systems through industrial processes such as metal plating or manufacturing, but Bismarck’s public water supply is surface water sourced and currently shows no EPA health-based violations or reports indicating industrial contamination at concerning levels.

A Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range for a Homeowner

Understanding the Numbers

Bismarck's surface water samples show chromium-6 detected above 0.03 µg/L in all eight tests, with a median concentration around 0.6 µg/L and a highest measured level of 0.7 µg/L. These figures reflect the range of hexavalent chromium naturally present or influenced by local conditions during the monitoring period, but they do not indicate any exceedance of federal regulatory limits because no such MCL exists for chromium-6.

What This Means for Your Home

Individual household water may vary, which is why testing your own water is necessary to understand your specific chromium-6 concentration. The municipal record describes the system’s supply broadly but cannot specify your home's water quality.

Maintenance Rhythm of the Documented Technology in Plain Terms

Regular Attention for Consistent Performance

The Pentek Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure for residential water treatment. Its maintenance is based on water usage and contamination levels detected by your personal water testing.

Simple Steps for Filter Care

• Monitor water clarity and taste changes;
• Follow the filter's recommended media replacement schedule as indicated by usage or water test results;
• Ensure filter components are checked regularly for wear or blockages.

What You Should Write Down Before Asking Anyone for Treatment Advice

Key Water Quality Details to Note

• Your home's chromium-6 test results in µg/L (ppb);
• Information on total chromium and other metal concentrations from your water test;
• Details about your water source (private well or municipal supply);
• Records of any taste, staining, or other water quality observations;
• Previous water treatment equipment, if any, and its performance.

Having this information ready helps when selecting or evaluating treatment options tailored to your home's water needs.

For managing chromium-6 concerns consistent with the Bismarck public water system findings, consider the Pentek Chromium-6 Filter, a documented water treatment option designed to address hexavalent chromium at typical residential levels.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-02-11. 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 Bismarck (ND0800080), ND: 16 results across 2 listed contaminants, 16 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L