Riverton’s public water supply uses surface water sources to serve over 10,000 residents through more than 4,300 connections. Water is treated and distributed for household use, but understanding the presence of trace constituents such as chromium-6—also called hexavalent chromium or chromium(VI)—requires careful review of official monitoring results and their limitations.
Nationwide UCMR3 Survey: Purpose and Household Relevance
Designed to assess occurrence across public water systems nationwide
The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) gathered data between 2013 and 2015 to identify contaminants, including chromium-6, in public water systems without setting compliance limits for those constituents.
Results are system-wide, not specific to any single residence
These measurements reflect the water quality at the system level, such as the City of Riverton’s water system, and do not reveal chromium-6 levels at individual taps. A well or tap water test is necessary to determine personal household concentrations.
Oxidation State Changes: From Source to Tap
Hexavalent chromium presence can vary with water treatment and distribution
Chromium-6 (Cr(VI)) can undergo chemical changes between the original surface water source, treatment facilities, and distribution pipes. This means concentrations detected in the raw or treated system water might differ from those at your faucet.
Redox reactions influence chromium forms and concentrations
The oxidation state affects chromium’s chemical behavior and how it interacts with filtration methods, so understanding these dynamics is important when considering treatment options for chromium-6.
Sample and Source Considerations Affecting Expectations
Surface water source implies different chromium behavior than groundwater
Riverton’s reliance on surface water means chromium-6 presence and variation differ from that in well water, which might interact more with geological materials.
Sample depth is consistent with system monitoring protocols
The UCMR3 results represent samples taken as required by regulatory guidelines for public water systems but do not reflect deeper or localized variations that might exist in private wells.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in Chromium-6 Levels
Monitoring occurred from February to August 2013 for Riverton
A campaign of 33 samples found chromium-6 detected in 4 samples at levels between 0.03 and 0.079 micrograms per liter (parts per billion). Detections occurred during this period only and represent a limited snapshot rather than continuous monitoring.
Longer-term trends require additional data beyond the UCMR3 record
Seasonal shifts or yearly fluctuations in chromium-6 levels can happen, but the available data do not provide extensive coverage to establish such trends for Riverton’s system.
Considerations for Different Property Types
Large households or multiple connections receive system water of similar quality
The water quality data applies uniformly across the system, so household size does not affect the reported chromium-6 occurrence, though individual tap tests remain necessary.
Second homes or seasonal residences have the same source water quality assumptions
Whether a year-round or seasonal property, the water system’s chromium-6 profile is consistent, but personal testing is needed to verify actual chromium-6 levels at each location.
What Area Data Does Not Show
Area government records do not establish your home’s water chromium-6 level
Though the City of Riverton’s public system detected chromium-6 in a few samples during early 2013, no federal enforceable maximum contaminant level exists for chromium-6 itself. The total chromium maximum contaminant level remains at 100 micrograms per liter, and no total chromium was detected above reporting limits in this data set.
Detection is not a health violation or a statement of safety or risk
A measured presence means the constituent was found by an instrument; it does not imply unsafe conditions or mandatory treatment. Only individual well or tap testing can confirm your household’s water quality status.
For households considering treatment choices for chromium-6 concerns, a water treatment solution using Fleck technology is available. The Fleck Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure for home water systems and provides a documented approach to address chromium-6 presence when proven necessary by testing.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-08-05. 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 Riverton (WY5600047), WY: 66 results across 2 listed contaminants, 4 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L