If You Think Past Soil Fumigant Use Has No Bearing on Current Groundwater Quality, Think Again
1,2,3-TCP, or 1,2,3-trichloropropane, is a chlorinated solvent long ago used as a soil fumigant, commonly from the 1950s through the 1980s. Though discontinued decades ago, residues have slowly migrated into deep groundwater over time. This delayed movement means that water sources tapped today can contain traces originally introduced many years back, particularly in agricultural regions and their surroundings.
If You Consider California’s 5 ng/L Limit the Only Benchmark, Recognize Federal Rules Differ Greatly
California established a strict notification level for 1,2,3-trichloropropane at 0.005 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L), reflecting a precautionary approach to this contaminant. By contrast, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for 1,2,3-TCP. This means that while California's guidelines are stringent, the federal system currently interprets the compound differently, focusing on monitoring and data collection rather than enforceable limits.
If You Wonder Whether Your Plumbing Materials Influence 1,2,3-TCP Levels, Here’s What to Know
The composition and age of household plumbing play separate roles from the water source when considering water quality. While plumbing materials can affect taste or introduce other substances, they do not create or eliminate 1,2,3-trichloropropane. The reported water quality data for Laramie concerns the source water as delivered by the municipal system, independent of your home's internal plumbing condition.
If You Look at Monitoring Dates and Notice Variations, Here Is What the Records Show
Laramie’s public water system was monitored for 1,2,3-TCP during 2013, specifically from February to November. Over ten sampling instances within this period, none detected 1,2,3-trichloropropane above the reporting level of 0.03 µg/L (equivalent to 30 parts per trillion, or ppt). This absence of detection across multiple samples over months suggests stability in source water, though conditions could vary outside those monitoring dates.
If You Miss the Exact Meaning of “Below Reporting Level,” Here’s Why It Matters
The reporting level indicates the smallest concentration the analytical method can reliably measure. For 1,2,3-TCP in Laramie’s system, this threshold is 0.03 µg/L. Government records show all samples fell below this level, meaning the contaminant was either absent or present at extremely low concentrations, below detectable limits. Such findings confirm no exceedance of any federal health standard since none exists, and no health-based violations have been recorded for the City of Laramie.
If You Think 1,2,3-TCP Enters Groundwater Only Recently, Here Is How It Actually Occurs in This Region
Given the City of Laramie relies on surface water, migration of 1,2,3-trichloropropane into groundwater is less directly relevant to its supply. Chlorinated solvents like TCP typically enter groundwater through historic agricultural applications and industrial activities. Seasonal changes in rainfall and surface runoff can influence concentrations in surface water. The absence of detections in Laramie’s surface water emphasizes effective source protection and natural dilution processes.
What You Should Not Conclude From Area Data
While documented monitoring shows no detectable 1,2,3-TCP in Laramie’s public water system during the sampling period, individual household water quality can vary due to private well conditions or internal plumbing. Only a specific test of your home’s water source can establish its actual 1,2,3-trichloropropane concentration. Furthermore, absence of detection at the reporting level does not guarantee permanent absence. For households experiencing failure of existing water treatment equipment, considering technologies like the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter may provide a direct-response option to target trace chlorinated solvent concerns. This equipment ships ready to configure and is designed to address chlorinated solvent compounds including 1,2,3-trichloropropane in residential settings.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-11-19. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of Laramie (WY5600029), WY: 10 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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