What Does a Total-Chromium Test Tell Me About Chromium-6 in My Water?
Tests reporting total chromium include all forms of chromium combined, not distinguishing hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) from trivalent chromium (chromium-3). In El Paso County’s Security Water System, federal sampling detected chromium-6 in all 44 measurements, ranging from 0.03 to 0.89 micrograms per liter (µg/L or parts per billion, ppb). Total chromium was also found, with some detections slightly higher, up to 0.9 µg/L. Since total chromium includes chromium-6 and chromium-3, total chromium results cannot answer specifically how much chromium-6 is present in your household water. To know your own water’s chromium-6 content, a specific laboratory test measuring chromium-6 directly is necessary.
Is Chromium-6 in El Paso County Surface Water Naturally Occurring or Industrial?
Chromium-6 in this region’s public water comes primarily from natural geologic sources. Arid and alkaline aquifers in El Paso County contribute hexavalent chromium, reflecting natural geogenic processes rather than industrial contamination. The Security Water System uses surface water, and federal data provided a thorough occurrence record without linking chromium-6 presence to industrial plating or manufacturing sources. This distinction is important because treatment choices depend on the chromium source and water chemistry.
How Does Hexavalent Chromium Enter Groundwater or Distribution Systems Here?
Chromium-6 enters the water supply as groundwater passes through mineral deposits containing chromium-bearing rocks and soils characteristic of the local geology. When surface water is sourced or groundwater is blended into the distribution system, chromium-6 can be detected throughout the treatment and distribution processes. The Security Water System, serving about 20,000 residents with 7,519 service connections, showed consistent detection of chromium-6, affirming its presence in the regional water but not indicating any health-based violations by EPA standards.
What Seasonal or Multi-Year Variations Are Seen in Chromium-6 Levels Around El Paso?
The federal Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) data for the Security Water System was collected between January and October 2014. Across these months, chromium-6 was continuously detected in all 44 samples, with values relatively stable between 0.03 and 0.89 µg/L. This suggests seasonal variation in hexavalent chromium levels was minimal or within a narrow range for that year. However, because only one multi-month period was sampled, longer-term fluctuations or rare spikes cannot be ruled out. Homeowners should consider that water quality can vary over time and confirm their own household water by direct testing.
How Can I Judge Treatment Capacity Relative to My Household’s Daily Chromium-6 Levels?
After equipment failure, evaluating treatment capacity requires knowing your household’s daily water use and the chromium-6 concentration you need to address. The documented Fleck Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure and can be matched to your demand volume and test results. It is designed specifically to handle hexavalent chromium at levels seen in local water, supporting a continuous supply of treated water for residential needs without reliance on prior equipment. Accurate flow and usage measurements help confirm this compatibility, ensuring the filter can maintain effective control within your consumption patterns.
What Should I Check or Test Before Choosing How to Manage Chromium-6?
Start with the simplest and most cost-effective steps by reviewing your local water provider’s recent water quality reports for chromium-6. Since area data does not establish your household’s specific level, order a certified laboratory test for chromium-6 to measure Cr(VI) in your water from the point of use. This measurement will guide treatment decisions. Additionally, verify your daily water demand to align equipment capacity with your household’s volume. These two pieces of information—your individual chromium-6 concentration and water use—are essential before selecting treatment options like the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter.
How Does the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter Meet Household Needs After Equipment Failure?
When existing equipment can no longer reliably address chromium-6 concerns, the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter provides a documented solution tailored to the chromium-6 levels observed in El Paso County’s Security Water System. It ships ready to configure, accommodating typical household water volume demands once your own water’s chromium-6 level has been tested. This filter’s technology is engineered to handle hexavalent chromium effectively, supporting safe and consistent water quality for residential use without presuming specific source concentrations or compliance statuses. Using the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter allows homeowners to regain control over chromium-6 treatment following equipment failure, backed by local occurrence data and designed capacity.
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: 88 results across 2 listed contaminants, 80 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L