If Your Laboratory Test Only Shows Total Chromium, Not Hexavalent Chromium
Water quality reports often list total chromium without distinguishing its chemical forms. Total chromium measures all chromium types combined, including trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). However, this total figure does not indicate the amount of chromium-6 present, which behaves differently and has distinct concerns and treatment considerations. A total chromium result cannot alone answer questions about hexavalent chromium levels in your water.
If You Want to Understand How Different Water Treatments Affect Chromium(VI)
Hexavalent chromium responds uniquely to common water treatment methods. Ion exchange processes can target chromium(VI) effectively by exchanging ions and trapping undesirable chromium compounds. Reverse osmosis membranes physically filter out chromium(VI) molecules, but their performance depends on system configuration and water conditions. Understanding these differing mechanisms can help guide choices toward a solution that suits your household’s chromium-6 concerns.
If Chromium-6 Originates from Natural Aquifers or Industrial Sources
Hexavalent chromium in water can originate either from geogenic sources or human activities. Arid and alkaline groundwater aquifers in the Ganado/Burnside/Steamboat/Cornfields/Woodsprings region may naturally contain chromium-6 due to the underlying geology. Alternatively, industrial activities such as metal plating can introduce chromium(VI) into water supplies. The EPA’s monitoring in this system found chromium-6 detected consistently in all samples but below any federal maximum contaminant level (MCL).
If You Are Considering a Treatment Approach for Chromium(VI)
The Pentair Chromium-6 Filter uses technology designed to address hexavalent chromium in household water effectively. This equipment ships ready to configure for residential use and can help manage chromium-6 concentrations you confirm through testing. It works by targeting chromium(VI) to reduce its presence, improving water quality in ways relevant to known occurrences in your area.
If You Wonder How Representative the Available Sampling Data Are
The EPA collected eight samples from the Ganado/Burnside/Steamboat/Cornfields/Woodsprings system between 2013 and 2015. All eight detected chromium-6 above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (parts per billion), with a highest measurement of 0.426 ppb and a median of 0.315 ppb. While these data come from the public water system and not individual homes, the sample size is modest and reflects system-wide conditions rather than any single household's water.
If You Want to Distinguish Chromium-6 From Other Commonly Confused Water Issues
Chromium-6 is different from total chromium which sums all chromium species, and it is distinct from metals like iron or manganese that can affect water taste or staining. Additionally, chromium-6’s behavior and health considerations differ from those of other contaminants often tested, so understanding its unique identity clarifies what testing and treatment efforts should focus on.
Taking the Next Step
To know your household’s chromium-6 concentration precisely, a specific laboratory analysis of your water is necessary. Once you have that data, the Pentair Chromium-6 Filter is a documented option designed to address chromium(VI) levels consistent with those found in the local water system, scaled to your measured demand. This approach lets you respond with a solution tailored to your confirmed water quality conditions.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-09. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Ganado/Burnside/Steamboat/Cornfields/Woodsprings (NN0403001), NN: 16 results across 2 listed contaminants, 16 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L