Government Sampling of Chromium-6 in Frankfort Public Water System
The Frankfort public water system in Will County, Illinois, serving about 24,000 people through 10,823 connections, uses groundwater as its source. EPA records from 2013 to 2015 include 20 measurements for chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium), of which none were detected above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L). For total chromium, half of 20 samples detected levels above 0.2 µg/L, up to 1.0 µg/L. The system has no EPA health-based violations recorded.
Trivalent Versus Hexavalent Chromium: Why Total Chromium Data Is Not Enough
Total chromium reporting sums all chromium forms, but only chromium-6 (also called hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI)) is considered more mobile and potentially of concern. A total chromium measurement may include primarily trivalent chromium (Cr(III)), which behaves differently in water chemistry and is less likely to pose the same concerns as chromium-6. Thus, knowing total chromium alone can’t clarify the chromium-6 level in your water.
California’s 10 µg/L Chromium-6 Limit and Its Relevance Here
California independently established a 10 µg/L (ppb) notification level for chromium-6 reflecting state risk assessments. This differs from federal standards since the EPA does not yet have an MCL for chromium-6 specifically. Frankfort’s water system showed no chromium-6 detections above 0.03 µg/L in sampling, far below California’s notification level, but this information is about the system and may not reflect every home’s water.
Sources of Hexavalent Chromium: Natural versus Industrial Origins
Chromium-6 can occur naturally from geogenic sources, especially in arid, alkaline groundwater aquifers, or from industrial activities such as metal plating. Frankfort relies on groundwater, so natural geogenic contributions are plausible but not specifically detailed by EPA reports. Knowing the source type can help interpret laboratory results and treatment needs.
What a Certified Laboratory Test Reports and How to Interpret It
To determine your household water’s chromium-6 content, send a sample to a certified laboratory specifying hexavalent chromium testing. Reports typically show chromium-6 concentration in µg/L (ppb). Since total chromium includes different chromium forms, it is important to confirm hexavalent chromium levels directly. Knowing your exact results allows you to assess whether your water exceeds guidance levels and informs treatment decisions.
Considerations for Larger Households, Second Homes, or Seasonal Properties
Water use varies by household size and property type. A large household places higher daily demand on treatment equipment, so filter capacity and flow rates must meet that need. Seasonal or second homes may experience water quality changes during inactivity, so regular testing and preparation are advised to maintain safe and taste-acceptable water.
Matching Treatment Capacity to Household Daily Demand
When choosing treatment equipment for chromium-6 mitigation, it is crucial to consider daily water consumption. An Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure and offers scalable service to handle typical household water demands. Assessing your household’s average daily gallon use helps select an appropriate model and ensures continued treatment performance.
In summary, Frankfort’s public water testing shows chromium-6 levels below detection limits, with no health-based violations recorded. To know your home’s water quality, a specific chromium-6 test from a certified laboratory is necessary. Equipped with your results, you can evaluate treatment options such as the Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter to address your household’s water quality needs effectively.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-09-22. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Frankfort (IL1970400), IL: 40 results across 2 listed contaminants, 10 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L
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