Fleck Chromium-6 Filter

Buy Now

View full details

If you want to understand why California set a 10 micrograms per liter limit for chromium-6 and what that implies for Shelby residents

California has established a maximum chromium-6 concentration of 10 micrograms per liter (10 parts per billion) based on state-level scientific and regulatory considerations. This limit aims to address long-term exposure concerns related to chromium(VI) in drinking water. However, this standard is specific to California and not a federal regulation. Shelby County's water system is not bound by this limit, and its absence does not imply that local water is unsafe or noncompliant with EPA health-based standards. Residents should view the California level as one benchmark to understand chromium-6 occurrence but not as a federal mandate or indication of hazard in their water.

If you want to interpret the North Shelby Water District chromium-6 data as a homeowner

The North Shelby Water District, serving around 14,660 people, showed detection of chromium-6 in 30 out of 32 samples collected between 2013 and 2015. These detections ranged from just above 0.03 micrograms per liter to a highest measured value of 0.15 micrograms per liter, with a median detection of 0.09 micrograms per liter. These samples were part of a federal monitoring program and not compliance testing. The total chromium was not detected above reporting levels in the same samples. The key point is that every measurement was well below any federal maximum contaminant level, and no health-based violation was recorded. This data helps understand regional chromium-6 presence but does not confirm the levels in any individual household's water.

If you observe chromium-6 over time without water treatment, what might occur?

Chromium-6 is a form of chromium that can affect taste or cause slight discoloration if it occurs in higher concentrations. Continued presence without filtration or treatment could potentially lead to aesthetic issues like a metallic taste or staining on fixtures. However, the levels noted in Shelby's public water system records are very low and not linked to safety concerns. The primary concern from an untreated standpoint is monitoring and awareness rather than immediate health risk, especially since equipment failure might increase exposure if it previously helped manage chromium levels.

If chromium-6 enters your water in Shelby County, how does it get there?

The North Shelby Water District obtains its drinking water from surface sources. Chromium-6 can enter surface water through natural mineral deposits or from certain industrial discharges in a region. In this area, the source water and distribution system sampling indicate low levels of chromium-6, consistent with typical regional geology and surface water influences. These low-level detections reflect system-wide presence rather than contamination of individual wells or taps. Thus, for individual homes, testing is essential to determine specific water conditions.

If your home equipment failed and chromium-6 is a concern, how can treatment technology help?

For households with recently failed equipment previously used to manage chromium-6 or other water quality issues, replacing or supplementing with a Fleck Chromium-6 Filter may be an effective approach. This filter utilizes specialized media technology designed to reduce chromium(VI) concentrations in water by adsorbing hexavalent chromium as water passes through. It ships ready to configure and can be integrated into residential water setups without professional assistance. While total chromium levels in Shelby are low, this product provides an added measure for homeowners who want to address chromium-6 specifically after the loss of earlier equipment.

If you notice changes in water quality or equipment failure, which parts of your home are affected first?

Fixtures such as kitchen faucets and drinking water taps are typically the first to show any effects related to chromium-6 presence, including any taste or staining issues. Appliances that use water, such as ice makers and coffee machines, may also be impacted as chromium-6 passes through them. When pre-existing equipment managing chromium-6 fails, these points can reveal changes in water appearance or taste first, signaling a need for testing and potential treatment.

What is the single test you should order to resolve chromium-6 questions in your water?

The most direct way to know your home's chromium-6 level is to request a water test specifically for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from a certified laboratory. This test will provide a precise measurement of chromium-6 concentration in your water supply at home. If results are at or below the very low levels detected in Shelby’s system record, additional treatment may be optional. Should levels be higher, considering the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter can be a practical and targeted step to manage water quality post-equipment failure.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-10-12. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for North Shelby Water District (KY1060324), KY: 64 results across 2 listed contaminants, 30 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L