The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority provides public water to Pensacola and Escambia County through a groundwater source. According to EPA data collected between 2013 and 2015, several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also called volatile organics or solvent compounds, were detected at low levels in the system's water. This page explains key aspects of those detections and what they mean for a residential household considering VOC concerns.
How does a gasoline release differ from a dry-cleaning release in what it leaves in groundwater?
Gasoline and dry-cleaning solvents can both introduce VOCs into groundwater, but the types of compounds and contamination patterns differ. Gasoline releases tend to include hydrocarbons like benzene and MTBE, which are volatile organics associated with fuel products. Dry-cleaning solvents often contain chlorinated compounds such as 1,1-dichloroethane.
In the case of Pensacola’s water system, monitoring detected 1,1-dichloroethane at low levels in two of 52 samples, reflecting some presence of chlorinated VOCs consistent with industrial solvent sources. No MTBE was detected. The variety and trace levels detected reflect groundwater influenced by multiple possible sources rather than a single contamination event.
What does a laboratory's method detection limit mean when a compound is 'not detected'?
A laboratory's method detection limit (MDL) is the smallest concentration of a compound that can be reliably distinguished from zero using the test method. When a compound is reported as 'not detected' (ND), it means the measured concentration was below that reporting level, not necessarily that the compound is entirely absent.
For example, chloromethane and bromomethane were not detected above their respective MDLs of 0.2 micrograms per liter (µg/L). This does not prove the compounds are zero, only that they are below the threshold where the equipment can confidently identify them in the water samples tested.
How can a homeowner read the record’s median and range of VOC detections?
Median values represent the middle value of detections detected above the reporting level, summarizing typical concentrations where detected. The range gives the spread from the lowest detected concentration to the highest.
- For 1,1-dichloroethane, 2 detections showed a median level of 0.0455 µg/L (0.0455 parts per billion, ppb) and a highest detection of 0.047 µg/L.
- HCFC-22 was detected in 14 samples with a median detection of 0.17 µg/L and a highest of 0.92 µg/L.
None of these detections exceed any federal maximum contaminant level (MCL), which means the values are measurements for monitoring purposes rather than signals of regulatory concern.
How should a household judge treatment capacity against its daily water demand?
When considering a treatment device to address VOCs, it is important to match the system's capacity to the household’s daily water use to ensure effective contact time and thorough filtration. Systems like the Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter ship ready to configure for typical residential flow rates, optimizing the removal of solvent compounds through advanced filtration media.
By evaluating the volume of water used daily and the documented capabilities of the filter system, a homeowner can select a solution aligned with their household’s demand for both drinking and other water uses.
How do public system records differ from private well testing in what they establish?
Public water system monitoring reflects averaged conditions across large distribution networks and multiple sources, providing a generalized picture of water quality at the system level. Private well testing reveals conditions specific to a single home’s water supply and plumbing.
Government records from the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority indicate presence of certain VOCs in the groundwater source and distribution system but do not provide specific data for individual household taps. Homeowners concerned about VOCs should arrange comprehensive laboratory testing of their tap water to identify exact levels and specific compounds present in their well or connection.
What should you not conclude from area data?
The EPA’s monitoring data for the public water system in Pensacola and Escambia County show detections of some VOCs at low levels but no violations of federal health-based standards. This means the presence of these compounds in the system's water is known but not considered unsafe under regulatory frameworks. Importantly, the data do not establish what any single household’s water quality is, nor do they imply a need for urgent concern. To understand personal exposure or treatment needs, individual testing is essential.
If your household water tests indicate the presence of VOCs or other industrial chemicals, systems like the Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter offer a documented technology that can reduce these compounds effectively, helping ensure water quality tailored to your family’s needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-06-08. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (FL1170525), FL: 332 results across 7 listed contaminants, 16 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs
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