Pentair Chromium-6 Filter

Buy Now

View full details

Myth: Chromium-6 in Modesto Water Means Industrial Pollution Only

Many assume that chromium-6, or hexavalent chromium, detected in Modesto's municipal water necessarily originates from industrial contamination. However, government monitoring data collected by the EPA under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) for the City of Modesto, which serves over 218,000 people from surface waters, shows chromium-6 is regularly detected but does not exclusively indicate industrial sources. Chromium-6 can occur naturally in arid and alkaline aquifers through geogenic processes, distinguishing natural background levels from industrial contributions. The highest detected value recorded for chromium-6 in Modesto’s water during 2013-2015 was 7.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L), with a median detected level around 2.65 µg/L. These findings relate to the public water system as a whole, not individual household wells or plumbing.

Myth: The UCMR3 Data Defines Household Water Quality Precisely

The EPA’s UCMR3 survey was designed to provide a broad overview of contaminant occurrences across public water systems nationwide, including the City of Modesto. While it included 126 measurements of chromium-6, these results represent the system’s distribution and source water on average—not the quality of water at a single residence. Thus, homeowners cannot rely on this data alone to characterize their tap water's chromium-6 levels. A specific water test taken from a home’s tap is necessary to determine individual household water conditions concerning chromium-6 or any other contaminant reliably.

Myth: Chromium(VI) Concentrations Do Not Change From Source to Tap

The oxidation state of chromium can shift through water treatment and distribution processes. Chromium-6, or chromium(VI), may undergo chemical changes as water moves from the surface water source through treatment plants and distribution mains to household taps. These transformations depend on factors such as pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and presence of other chemicals. Accordingly, chromium-6 concentrations measured at the source or in the distribution system may differ from what is found at the tap. This complexity underscores the importance of precise household-level testing when assessing chromium-6 exposure.

Myth: Long-Term Exposure to Chromium-6 Causes Predictable, Severe Household Water Damage

Chromium-6’s presence in water at levels documented for Modesto’s system does not equate to automatic or severe household impacts. While elevated chromium-6 can contribute to aesthetic issues such as taste or staining under some conditions, no health-based violations were recorded by the EPA for Modesto’s water system during the monitoring period. That said, leaving chromium-6 untreated in drinking water over many years may present concerns best addressed with informed water treatment choices, especially if household water testing indicates concentrations of interest.

Myth: Water Treatment Choices Are Uniform in Addressing Chromium-6

When choosing water treatment to address hexavalent chromium, it is helpful to understand how different technologies function. Ion exchange methods are engineered to specifically capture and reduce chromium(VI) ions effectively. In contrast, reverse osmosis systems treat water by forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane that can reduce a broad range of dissolved substances, including chromium-6, but also affect overall water mineral balance. Both approaches can be part of a strategy to manage chromium-6, but the Pentair Chromium-6 Filter specifically targets this constituent with technology suited to the challenge.

Myth: Data on Public Water Means the Same for Every Household

While the EPA’s data on chromium-6 in Modesto’s public water provides valuable regional insight, it does not substitute for individual water testing. Results show no health-based violations, indicating compliance with all federal regulations. However, only a household water test can determine chromium-6 levels at the tap and guide appropriate treatment. The Pentair Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure for residential use, offering an option that directly addresses chromium-6 detected in this region when treatment is desired.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-02-06. 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 Modesto (CA5010010), CA: 252 results across 2 listed contaminants, 238 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L