Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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If EPA Records Show No Detectable VOCs in Your GU Water System

The U.S. Navy Water System in GU, according to EPA’s UCMR3 monitoring from 2013 to 2015, detected no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) above reporting levels in their public water supply. This means that compounds such as 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, and MTBE were all measured but found below the threshold of instrument detection.

While this federal occurrence survey is not a compliance test and does not assess every VOC possible, it indicates no widespread presence of these particular VOCs in the source water. However, this does not guarantee your household water is free of VOCs, especially after your current equipment has failed.

If Seasonal Water-Table Changes Could Shift Solvent Plumes Near Your Well Screen

Volatile organic compounds in groundwater often originate from solvent releases like gasoline or industrial chemicals. Seasonal variations in rainfall and groundwater recharge can cause the water table to rise or fall. These changes affect the position of VOC plumes relative to your well screen, potentially increasing or decreasing solvent concentrations in extracted water over time.

It is important to recognize that these seasonal shifts might cause fluctuations in VOC levels that periodic sampling may not capture. Continuous or repeated testing over different seasons better reflects the true range of VOC presence in your water supply.

If Your Plumbing Materials and Home Age Might Influence VOC Levels

Besides source water quality, plumbing materials and system age can affect VOC concentrations. Newer materials might leach volatile compounds or interact with existing VOCs differently than older pipes. Additionally, degradation or buildup in aging plumbing systems can alter water chemistry, potentially increasing volatile organics or affecting their detectability.

Consequently, VOCs detected in household tap water are not always direct reflections of the public water system but can stem from private plumbing infrastructure factors.

If You Need to Prioritize Checks Before Investing in Treatment

When your water treatment equipment fails, it is sensible to rule out the simplest and most cost-effective sources first:

• Check for odors, tastes, or visual signs that might suggest VOC presence or plumbing issues.
• Review maintenance history and water system records from your local public water provider.
• Conduct laboratory testing specifically for the VOCs of concern in your household water to obtain precise concentrations.

Only after these steps should you consider replacing or supplementing your treatment equipment to address VOCs effectively.

If You Know the Type of Solvent Release Impacting Your Groundwater

Gasoline releases tend to leave a different volatile organic signature in groundwater compared to dry-cleaning solvent spills. Gasoline-related VOCs often include compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), while dry-cleaning solvents may involve perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene.

The U.S. Navy Water System record for GU does not list detections of these particular VOCs above reporting levels, but understanding the source type can inform what tests to request and what treatments are most effective.

Conclusion: Arrange a Comprehensive VOC Water Test to Confirm Your Household Needs

Given that government records for the GU public water system do not show VOC detections above reporting levels, but acknowledging your current equipment failure, the recommended next step is to order a detailed water test for volatile organic compounds from a certified laboratory. This test should quantify any VOCs present in your specific household water supply.

A clear result showing VOC concentrations below concern thresholds likely rules out source water problems, pointing instead to plumbing or equipment issues. If VOCs are present at measurable levels, treatment options such as the Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter, which ships ready to configure, provide a documented solution for reducing these compounds at the point of use.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-04-27. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for U.S. Navy Water System (GU0000010), GU: 168 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level