The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) public water system record for the NJ American Water Co. - Raritan system serving Elizabeth City, Monroe Township, and Union County shows that 1,4-dioxane has been detected multiple times. Between 2013 and 2015, 36 samples were tested, with 14 showing measurable levels of the cyclic ether ranging up to 0.93 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or parts per billion (ppb). This information represents the water system’s supply in general rather than any specific household's taps or wells.
If You Wonder Why 1,4-Dioxane Can Spread Further Than Other Chemicals
1,4-Dioxane is a solvent stabilizer known to migrate ahead of the original solvent plume that introduced it to water sources. Unlike many contaminants, it does not bind easily to soil or sediment, allowing it to move more quickly and broadly through groundwater or surface water supplies. This behavior means areas downgradient from contamination sources may detect this compound even when the original solvents are not present or are at lower levels.
If You Want to Know How Federal Detections Differ From State Notification Levels for Dioxane
The EPA’s UCMR3 sampling detects 1,4-dioxane above a reporting level of 0.07 µg/L, but it does not set enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). The EPA has referenced a cancer risk concentration of 0.35 µg/L for health risk considerations, but this is not a regulatory limit. States may have their own notification levels or guidance values, which can be lower or higher and serve different purposes. Therefore, a detection in this federal survey does not imply a violation or unsafe water but provides data to inform monitoring and research.
If You Consider That Aesthetic Secondary Standards Are Set for Taste and Appearance, Not Health
Secondary standards, including thresholds for chloride or total dissolved solids, address water’s taste, odor, and potential to stain plumbing fixtures. They do not determine water safety or health risks. For 1,4-dioxane, which has no such secondary standard, aesthetic factors are not relevant. Understanding the difference can help avoid confusion about what detections mean for household water quality.
If You Are Comparing Public Water System Records to Private Well Testing
Records like those from the NJ American Water Co. reflect monitoring of public surface water supplies that serve many households. In contrast, private well water is not covered by these records and requires individual sampling to determine actual contaminant levels. Knowing this distinction matters because your household’s 1,4-dioxane concentration can only be established through specific testing of your water source, not inferred solely from public system data.
If You Are Preparing to Discuss Treatment Options for Your Household Water
Before seeking advice or quotes, note your water source, any recent test results if available, and concerns specifically about the solvent stabilizer 1,4-dioxane. This helps clarify needs when considering treatment equipment. One documented approach is the C-Series 1,4-Dioxane Filter, which is designed to address the cyclic ether found in water. This equipment ships ready to configure for residential use and is a recognized solution for households wanting to reduce their exposure to this compound.
Overall, the public water system record provides a snapshot of 1,4-dioxane occurrence in Union County’s surface water supply serving over 600,000 people. It documents the presence of the solvent stabilizer but does not indicate health-based violations. For detailed and current data, consult the EPA’s official monitoring report.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-07. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for NJ American Water Co. - Raritan (NJ2004002), NJ: 36 results across 1 listed contaminants, 14 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL; EPA cancer risk reference concentration 0.35 ug/L