Deltona's Groundwater Supply and Water Distribution
The public water system serving Deltona, FL, relies on local groundwater sources to provide drinking water for over 81,000 residents through more than 35,000 service connections. Groundwater is drawn from wells tapping aquifers beneath Volusia County, which is known for its sandy soils and varied geological conditions that influence water quality. After being pumped from the underground aquifer, the water undergoes treatment and disinfection before reaching household taps.
Which Volatile Organic Compounds Appear in Deltona's Water Records?
Data from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) program, covering 2013 to 2015 for the Deltona Water system (FL3640287), shows the presence of certain volatile organic compounds, measured in micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb). These compounds include:
- 1,1-Dichloroethane: Tested 24 times with no detections above the reporting level of 0.03 µg/L (0.03 ppb).
- Chloromethane: Detected in 2 out of 24 samples, with the highest recorded concentration at 0.3 µg/L (0.3 ppb) and median of detections at 0.28 µg/L (0.28 ppb).
- Bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-Butadiene: Each showed no detections above their respective reporting levels (ranging from 0.06 to 0.2 µg/L).
- MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether): No detections above the reporting level of 5.0 µg/L.
None of these detections correspond to federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) because for these unregulated VOCs, no MCLs have been established. Therefore, detections indicate measured presence but not a violation or safety concern under current EPA regulations.
Differences Between Gasoline Releases and Dry-Cleaning Solvent Releases in Groundwater
Volatile organics in groundwater often originate from distinct sources, each leaving different chemical footprints:
- Gasoline Releases: These typically introduce compounds like MTBE and chloromethane into groundwater. MTBE is a gasoline additive used to improve combustion. Though it was not detected above reporting limits in Deltona's system, even small amounts can affect taste and odor.
- Dry-Cleaning Solvent Releases: These may contribute to the presence of compounds such as 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,3-butadiene. Deltona's monitoring found no detections above reporting levels for these compounds.
Understanding the source helps determine the potential mix of VOCs present and informs which contaminants to test for at a specific household.
Household Size, Usage Patterns, and Seasonal Properties Affect Treatment Needs
Water treatment demand can vary based on the size and use of a household:
- Large Households: Higher water consumption may increase exposure to low-level VOCs and require treatment systems sized to handle greater volumes.
- Second Homes or Seasonal Properties: Periodic use can cause water age in plumbing to increase, possibly affecting VOC concentrations at the tap and complicating treatment considerations.
Customized treatment solutions should reflect measured water use and VOC levels specific to the household.
How Sample Depth and Well Type Influence What VOCs May Be Present
The depth of a groundwater sampling well and the type of well used can affect VOC measurements:
- Deeper wells generally access aquifers less impacted by surface activities, potentially showing lower VOC levels.
- Shallow wells may be more vulnerable to recent contamination inputs and seasonal fluctuations.
The Deltona public water system uses multiple source types and depths, so overall system data averages these effects. Testing an individual well is necessary to determine actual household water quality.
Why Volatility Matters: Exposure Routes Beyond Drinking Water
Volatile organic compounds are characterized by their tendency to vaporize easily. This volatility means exposure can occur not only through drinking water but also through inhalation and skin contact when using water for everyday activities:
- Showering: VOCs can evaporate into the air in bathrooms, leading to inhalation exposure.
- Dishwashing and Laundry: VOCs may off-gas during hot water use, contributing to indoor air quality concerns.
- Direct Consumption: Drinking water remains a primary route of ingestion but is only one part of overall exposure to VOCs.
Effective management of VOCs in household water should account for these different exposure routes.
Addressing VOCs in Deltona Household Water with the C-Series VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter
Given the measured presence of some volatile organic compounds in the Deltona public water system, households seeking to reduce VOCs and related solvent compounds in their water supply can consider treatment options like the C-Series VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter. This system ships ready to configure and is designed to handle the types of solvent compounds documented in local groundwater data. The size and capacity of the C-Series system can be selected based on household water demand, ensuring effective reduction of detected VOCs and providing an added layer of water quality assurance for residential use.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-23. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Deltona Water (FL3640287), FL: 176 results across 7 listed contaminants, 2 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs