Oxidation State Changes from Source to Tap
Chromium-6 Exists in Oxidized Form in Surface Water Sources
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), or chromium-6, typically enters water as an oxidized species, especially in surface water like that supplying Richmond in Wayne County.
Transformation Can Occur Through Distribution
Between the water source and your tap, chemical and physical conditions in the distribution mains can alter chromium’s oxidation state, sometimes reducing chromium-6 to trivalent chromium (Cr(III)), but the extent varies and is not predictable without testing.
Tap Water Chromium State Depends on Plumbing and Treatment
Your household plumbing materials and any point-of-entry treatment can further affect chromium speciation, so the chromium-6 level at your tap may differ from system-wide measurements.
Understanding the UCMR3 Survey’s Purpose and Limits
Survey Aimed to Identify Hexavalent Chromium Occurrence Nationwide
The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 collected data on chromium-6 presence in public water systems like IN American Water Co. - Richmond between 2013 and 2015, providing occurrence information rather than compliance data.
Detecting Chromium-6 Does Not Establish Safety Status
All 22 samples from Richmond found chromium-6 above a reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (ppb), with concentrations ranging up to 0.15 ppb, but no federal health-based limits exist for chromium-6 specifically, and no violations were recorded.
Data Reflect System-Wide Levels, Not Individual Homes
The survey results represent the public water system’s supply overall; they do not measure chromium-6 in your home’s water directly.
Public System Records vs. Private Well Testing
System Records Show Average Conditions for Many Customers
The IN American Water Co. system provides water to more than 16,000 connections in Richmond, meaning recorded chromium-6 levels reflect broad averages rather than any single household’s tap water.
Private Wells Require Individual Testing for Chromium-6
Because public system data don’t cover private wells, individual households using wells must have their own water tested for chromium-6 to understand specific conditions.
Total Chromium Includes Multiple Forms, Hexavalent Chromium Is Specific
Reporting for total chromium showed lower concentrations than chromium-6, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing chromium species when evaluating water quality.
Addressing Chromium(VI) in Home Water
Treatment Options Target Hexavalent Chromium Specifically
Technologies designed to address chromium-6 often focus on reducing chromium(VI) to less mobile or less bioavailable forms or filtering it out entirely.
Pentair Chromium-6 Filter Ships Ready to Configure
This product is designed to reduce chromium-6 in household water through filtration methods suited for residential use, offering a direct-to-consumer purchase option.
Testing Your Tap Water Is Crucial Before Choosing Treatment
Since this page’s figures represent area data, a tap water test is necessary to decide if chromium-6 treatment is needed and which options will be effective for your specific water quality.
Interpreting Sampling Terms in the Richmond Water Record
Detected Means Measurement Above the Reporting Limit, Not a Safety Finding
Chromium-6 detected at or above 0.03 micrograms per liter means it was measurable; it does not imply violation or unsafe conditions.
Median Indicates the Middle Measurement Among Detected Samples
The median chromium-6 was 0.065 ppb, showing half the measurements were above and half below this value in the survey.
Range Shows the Spread from Lowest to Highest Detected Value
The highest chromium-6 measured was 0.15 ppb; all detections fell below any regulatory health-based limit.
Households in Wayne County considering treatment for chromium-6 should recognize that public system data provide a general overview, not a definitive assessment of their water. Obtaining a personal water test guides informed decisions about whether and how to address chromium(VI) with products like the Pentair Chromium-6 Filter.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-01-27. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for IN American Water Co. - Richmond (IN5289012), IN: 44 results across 2 listed contaminants, 39 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L