The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's records for the Glen Burnie-Broadneck public water system in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, show no detections of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L or parts per billion) during federal sampling conducted from 2013 to 2015. This groundwater-based system serves about 290,606 people. While no health-based violations related to 1,2,3-TCP are on record, households considering treatment technology should understand technical factors involved with this chlorinated solvent.
1. Granular activated carbon contact time: why bed depth matters more for TCP than for taste
Longer contact time improves TCP interaction:
Effective treatment of 1,2,3-trichloropropane with granular activated carbon (GAC) depends heavily on the depth of the carbon bed. Unlike compounds that primarily affect taste, TCP requires sufficient contact time with the carbon media to allow adsorption due to its chemical properties. A deeper bed lengthens this contact and increases the likelihood of reducing TCP levels in treated water.
2. Why 1,2,3-trichloropropane resists air stripping and what that means for treatment choice
TCP’s low volatility limits air stripping effectiveness:
1,2,3-trichloropropane does not easily transfer from water to air due to its chemical structure, making air stripping methods less efficient. This resistance means that aeration-based treatments commonly used for volatile organic compounds are not the preferred option for 1,2,3-TCP. Choosing treatment technologies capable of adsorbing or chemically interacting with TCP yields better results.
3. What the reader should write down before asking anyone for treatment advice
Document water source and test results:
- Identify the water source type (e.g., well or municipal groundwater) to understand baseline risks.
- Obtain recent water testing data specifically measuring 1,2,3-TCP or related chlorinated solvents.
- Note household water usage patterns and any existing water treatment equipment.
- Record detectable levels and measurement units (µg/L or ppb) to inform technology suitability.
4. A worked example: reading the record’s median and range as a homeowner would
Interpreting 1,2,3-TCP data from the Glen Burnie-Broadneck system:
Federal sampling reports show all twelve samples from this system below 0.03 µg/L, the reporting threshold. This means 1,2,3-TCP was not detected at levels measurable by the EPA’s analytical methods during the monitoring period. As a homeowner, this indicates that if your water is supplied by this system, your TCP concentration is very likely below 0.03 micrograms per liter, though only a direct test of your tap can confirm your specific condition.
5. The household or facility symptoms that do and do not point to this problem
Symptoms unlikely linked to 1,2,3-TCP:
- Cloudy water, unusual taste, or odor are rarely caused by 1,2,3-trichloropropane at low concentrations.
- Corrosion or staining issues stem from other water chemistry factors unrelated to this chlorinated solvent.
Possible reasons to suspect 1,2,3-TCP:
- Water testing shows measurable 1,2,3-TCP above detection levels.
- Local land use history known for chlorinated solvent contamination near groundwater.
After reviewing these points, the key step is to order a water test for 1,2,3-trichloropropane that uses a reliable laboratory method with detection levels at or below 0.03 µg/L (0.03 parts per billion). A conclusive result from your own tap provides the foundation for choosing an appropriate treatment technology. The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for residential point-of-entry treatment, designed specifically to address 1,2,3-trichloropropane through granular activated carbon filtration tailored to optimize contact time and adsorption for this challenging compound.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-08-06. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Glen Burnie-Broadneck (MD0020017), MD: 12 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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