Pentair Perchlorate Filter

Buy Now

View full details

What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page

The public water system serving Bakersfield in Kern County was monitored for perchlorate from 2001 to 2005 under the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. During that period, 202 samples were taken, and none showed perchlorate levels above the reporting threshold of 4.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L). This means perchlorate was not detected at concentrations measurable by the test, but it does not guarantee zero perchlorate presence in any individual home’s water. Median and range values are not applicable here since no measurable perchlorate was found. Understanding these terms helps clarify that the system’s water quality record shows perchlorate below detectable levels at the system scale, rather than in any single household’s plumbing.

How to Judge Treatment Capacity Against the Household's or Facility's Daily Demand

When considering perchlorate treatment for a home, it is important to evaluate the daily volume of water used. The effectiveness of a perchlorate filter depends on matching its rated capacity to the household’s consumption patterns. For an average residence, this means estimating daily water usage for drinking, cooking, and other household needs, then selecting a filter system that can handle that volume without compromising flow rate or treatment quality. The Pentair Perchlorate Filter is designed to ship ready to configure for such applications, providing scalable capacity options suitable for typical household demands in Kern County.

What Happens When This Problem Is Left Untreated for Years, Stated Without Exaggeration

Perchlorate can interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to absorb iodine, a process important to hormone production and metabolism. While the Bakersfield water system records no perchlorate detections above the reporting level, untreated perchlorate at higher levels, if present, may slowly affect thyroid function over time. This effect develops gradually and varies by individual sensitivity. Testing household water directly is necessary to determine if perchlorate is present at levels that warrant treatment or monitoring.

How to Compare This Area's Record with a Neighboring County's Without Overreading It

Comparing Kern County’s perchlorate data with that of a neighboring county requires attention to monitoring methods, sampling dates, and water sources. For example, Kern relies on surface water, which may differ from groundwater sources elsewhere. Absence of detectable perchlorate in Kern’s municipal water does not imply other counties share the same results or risks. Such comparisons highlight regional differences but do not predict individual household water quality, which can only be confirmed through direct testing.

Which Fixtures, Appliances or Processes Are Affected First and Why

Perchlorate presence primarily impacts appliances and fixtures involved in direct water consumption, such as kitchen faucets used for drinking and cooking. These points are the main concern due to ingestion exposure routes. Water used for bathing or laundry is less critical for perchlorate exposure but may still reflect source water quality. Therefore, treatment focus often targets filtration at or before drinking water outlets, where perchlorate removal ensures its reduction in ingestion pathways.

The Role of Plumbing Material and Age, Separate from the Source Water

While plumbing materials and the age of pipes can influence overall water quality through leaching or corrosion, they do not alter perchlorate levels, which originate from the source water. In Kern County’s municipal system, surface water is the primary supply and perchlorate monitoring reflects this. Plumbing conditions affect taste, appearance, or secondary contaminants but perchlorate presence or absence depends on the original water source rather than home plumbing characteristics.

For households in Kern County seeking to address perchlorate concerns, the Pentair Perchlorate Filter offers a documented solution. When matched with the water demand measured at home, it provides targeted treatment to reduce perchlorate exposure through drinking water.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2003-12-29. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for CWS - Bakersfield (CA1510003), CA: 202 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level