Fleck Chromium-6 Filter

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Difference Between Area Data and Your Household Water

Government monitoring in Juneau City And Borough, AK, shows hexavalent chromium (chromium-6, Cr(VI)) in the public water supply, which draws from surface waters. This data represents measurements taken at the system level and cannot specify concentrations at any one home’s tap. Actual chromium-6 levels in your household water require individual testing for confirmation.

Sources of Hexavalent Chromium: Geogenic vs. Industrial

Geogenic Chromium-6 in Surface Waters

Chromium-6 can occur naturally in varying amounts depending on local geology. While Juneau’s water source is surface water rather than an arid or alkaline aquifer typical for geogenic chromium-6 presence, natural environmental factors still influence baseline levels.

Potential Industrial Contributions

Industrial activities such as metal plating can contribute chromium-6 to water, but Juneau’s public system shows no indication of industrial contamination based on available records.

Purpose and Limits of UCMR3 Nationwide Survey Data

Survey Design for Broad Water System Assessment

The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) tested Juneau’s community water system between 2013 and 2015, detecting chromium-6 above a reporting level in most samples. This survey aims to gather data on emerging contaminants but is not designed to provide household-specific water quality.

Data Cannot Substitute for Your Water Testing

Since UCMR3 results reflect system-wide sampling, they do not establish chromium-6 concentrations in your particular household water. Individual testing remains necessary to characterize your home’s water accurately.

Information to Record Before Seeking Treatment Advice

Document Your Water Source and Testing Results

• Confirm whether your water comes from the public system or well water.
• Obtain laboratory analysis of chromium-6 levels from your water sample if possible.
• Note any observed water quality issues such as taste or staining.

Identify Your Treatment Needs by Usage Points

• Determine which appliances or fixtures you want to treat first, such as drinking water taps or whole-house supply.
• Consider the volume of water used daily to size appropriate treatment solutions.

Sample Size and Data Interpretation

Number of Samples and Wells Behind Chromium-6 Figures

The Juneau public water system was represented by 10 chromium-6 samples during UCMR3 monitoring, with 9 detections above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L or ppb). The highest detected chromium-6 concentration was 0.093 µg/L, with a median of 0.071 µg/L where chromium-6 was found. Total chromium was not detected above the 0.2 µg/L reporting level.

What Small Sample Size Means for Homeowners

Although these measurements provide useful insight into general water quality, only a few samples cannot fully represent all variations over time or across specific locations within the distribution network.

Household Fixtures and Processes First Affected by Chromium-6

Point-of-Entry Versus Point-of-Use Considerations

Chromium-6 affects water regardless of fixture, but removing it at the point of use (such as at kitchen or bathroom taps) targets drinking and cooking water specifically. In comparison, treating all household water can address chromium-6 before any appliance or outlet.

Appliance Longevity and Water Quality

While chromium-6 is distinct from total chromium and has no direct impact on appliances’ function, concerns about water quality may influence decisions on focused treatment for consumption versus bathing and laundry.

Pathways for Chromium-6 in Juneau Water

In Juneau, chromium-6 presence in surface water comes from a combination of natural environmental conditions and possible low-level anthropogenic sources. Runoff, erosion, and natural mineral leaching introduce chromium-6 into reservoirs and water bodies feeding the public system. Unlike groundwater derived from arid, alkaline aquifers where geogenic chromium-6 may be more prevalent, surface water sources undergo different geochemical processes affecting chromium speciation.

Choosing Treatment Based on Measurement

To address chromium-6 in household water effectively, homeowners should begin with precise water testing to measure chromium-6 concentrations at their tap. The Fleck Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure and is designed for residential use where chromium-6 is present at measurable levels. This technology can be matched to your measured demand and water quality to provide targeted treatment for hexavalent chromium.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-07-27. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Juneau (AK2110342), AK: 20 results across 2 listed contaminants, 9 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L