What the UCMR3 Nationwide Survey Was Designed to Learn, and Its Limits for One Household
The Environmental Protection Agency's third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) survey, conducted from 2013 through 2015, gathered data on certain contaminants like hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) across many public water systems, including Southern Utilities serving Smith County, Texas. The purpose was to better understand how often and at what levels chromium-6 appears in the water supplied to communities. However, this survey provides system-wide results and does not reflect concentrations in any individual home's water. Thus, while it shows what chromium-6 levels were detected in the public water source on average, it cannot specify the chromium-6 concentration for your household water without direct testing of your own well or tap.
Geogenic Hexavalent Chromium in Arid and Alkaline Aquifers versus Industrial Plating Sources
Chromium-6 occurs naturally in some groundwater, especially in arid, alkaline regions where geologic conditions favor its presence. It also can originate from industrial activities such as metal plating or manufacturing processes. In Smith County, the surface water source for Southern Utilities means the community's chromium-6 presence likely reflects environmental and treatment factors rather than direct industrial contamination. Knowing the source type can guide treatment choices, as geogenic chromium-6 might have different behaviors and levels compared to industrial inputs.
What the Reader Should Write Down Before Asking Anyone for Treatment Advice
Before seeking treatment solutions for chromium-6, it is important to gather certain information about your water. Essential details include recent laboratory test results specific to your home’s water for hexavalent chromium or total chromium, the type of water source supplying your household, and any history of water quality notices or concerns in your area. Without a direct test of your water, regional data does not confirm your household’s chromium-6 level. Documenting these facts ensures clear communication and accurate assessment when exploring treatment options.
How the Documented Treatment Technology Removes or Neutralises the Constituent
The Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter addresses chromium-6 by employing well-established filtration and chemical treatment technologies to reduce hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), concentrations in residential water. This equipment ships ready to configure for integration with household plumbing. This treatment technology is designed to capture or convert chromium-6 to less soluble forms, helping reduce its concentration before water reaches household taps. Choosing the appropriate class of treatment depends on your specific water test results and chromium-6 level.
What 'Detected,' 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page
In the UCMR3 data for Southern Utilities in Smith County, chromium-6 was detected in 25 out of 92 samples, with a highest measured concentration of 0.0815 micrograms per liter (µg/L or parts per billion) and a median concentration among detected samples of 0.044 µg/L. 'Detected' means the instrument measured chromium-6 above the reporting level of 0.03 µg/L, not that there is a violation or unsafe condition. The 'median' is the middle value of the detected concentrations, and the range (lowest to highest) shows variability in the measurements. These figures provide context on chromium-6 occurrence in the system's water but do not indicate health-based violations or individual household concentrations.
What Test Will Settle the Question for Your Household
To understand your home's chromium-6 level accurately and determine which treatment class you need, the single test to order is a certified laboratory analysis specifically for hexavalent chromium concentration in your tap water. This test will measure chromium-6 in micrograms per liter, providing a precise result for your water. With this information, you can select a treatment solution like the Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter, tailored to your household's chromium-6 condition, ensuring the most effective approach for your water quality needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-10-17. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Southern Utilities (TX2120063), TX: 184 results across 2 listed contaminants, 25 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L
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