Autotrol PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter

$1,499.00

Buy Now

View full details

Difference Between UCMR5 and UCMR3 in PFAS Monitoring

Expanded Compound List

The UCMR5 survey broadened the range of fluorinated compounds tested compared to UCMR3, including newer and less commonly detected substances beyond PFOA and PFOS.

Lower Reporting Levels

UCMR5 uses more sensitive detection levels, for example 0.003 to 0.005 micrograms per litre (nanograms per litre), allowing detection of trace amounts previously unmeasurable.

More Frequent Sampling

Sampling occurs over a longer monitoring period (2023-2025) and includes multiple events, providing a more detailed record of PFAS occurrence in the public water system serving El Paso County residents.

Understanding the Hazard Index for Newer PFAS Mixtures

No Direct Safety Conclusion

While the mixtures of 'forever chemicals' detected include PFHxS, PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, and others, the combined hazard index does not establish individual health risk or safety levels.

Weighting of Individual Compounds

The hazard index attempts to summarize effects but cannot predict household-specific exposure or health outcomes; individual testing is needed for precise assessment.

Use as a Comparative Tool

The index serves to inform general regional presence of PFAS but should not be used to make safety claims for any specific home’s water.

Comparing El Paso County’s PFAS Record With Neighboring Regions

Regional Variability Is Normal

Neighboring counties may show differences in the number and concentration of PFAS detected due to diverse water sources and environmental factors.

Avoid Inferring Individual Well Conditions

Area-level data cannot determine your home's water PFAS concentration; local testing is necessary to know your specific situation.

Consider Public Water System Differences

El Paso County’s system relies on surface water, influencing PFAS presence differently than groundwater sources in nearby counties.

Influence of Sample Depth, Well Depth, and Source Type on PFAS Levels

Surface Water vs. Groundwater

Surface water sources tend to reflect broader environmental PFAS presence, potentially showing different compound profiles than groundwater.

Sampling Depth Affects Results

Variations in sampling depth at treatment plants or wells can yield differing PFAS detections, influencing the representativeness of data for household taps.

System Connections and Distribution

Multiple connections and distribution points can result in variable PFAS levels throughout the public water system; local plumbing also impacts water quality.

Federal MCLs for Fluorinated Compounds in This Record (2024)

Compounds With Established MCLs

• PFOA and PFOS: Both have a federal maximum contaminant level of 4.0 nanograms per litre (parts per trillion).
• PFHxS and PFNA: MCLs set at 10 nanograms per litre for each.

Compounds Without Current MCLs

• PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, HFPO-DA, and PFHpA do not have federal MCLs as of 2024.

Detections Above Reporting Levels Do Not Constitute Violations

Measurements above reporting levels indicate presence but are not violations unless exceeding health-based MCLs.

Differences Between Granular Carbon Beds and Ion-Exchange Resins for PFAS Removal

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

GAC filters adsorb many PFAS compounds effectively but vary in capacity for shorter or longer chain substances.

Ion-Exchange Resins

These resins provide targeted removal of specific PFAS, often with higher capacity for some newer compounds.

System Compatibility and Operation

The Autotrol PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter uses a documented approach combining filtration technologies to reduce a range of fluorinated compounds detected in El Paso County water.

The public water system record for WIDEFIELD WSD (CO0121900), serving approximately 27,640 people in El Paso County, Colorado, shows detections of multiple PFAS compounds during the UCMR5 monitoring period (2023–2025). This record provides a snapshot of the water delivered but does not determine individual household water quality. For specific knowledge about your home's water, professional testing is required.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-02-20. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for WIDEFIELD WSD (CO0121900), CO: 240 results across 10 listed contaminants, 59 detections above the reporting level; 14 results above a 2024 federal MCL