Government sampling of the public water system serving Cassatt in Kershaw County, South Carolina, reports perchlorate detections in groundwater sources used for residential supply. Between 2003 and 2005, the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule detected perchlorate once at 4.5 micrograms per liter among 17 samples taken from the Cassatt Water Company #1 system. This system serves over 25,000 people through more than 10,000 connections, relying on groundwater. No health-based violations have been recorded in its history.
How public-system records differ from private-well testing in what they establish
Public water system data reflect multiple wells and connections, not individual household conditions
The reported perchlorate level is an aggregate result from the public water system and does not indicate any one household's water quality. Private wells in Cassatt may vary significantly, and only testing of a home's water can confirm perchlorate concentrations at that site.
Federal occurrence monitoring data measure presence, not compliance or safety
The detection above the reporting level shows perchlorate was measurable in the system but does not indicate any health risk or regulatory exceedance, as no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) exists for perchlorate.
Which fixtures, appliances or processes are affected first and why
Water used for drinking and cooking is most relevant for perchlorate concern
Perchlorate primarily affects water consumed directly or used in food preparation. Appliances like ice makers or water dispensers may also deliver this water but are not filtration points themselves.
Other household uses like bathing or laundry generally experience less impact
Although perchlorate may be present throughout household water, exposure through skin contact or inhalation during bathing is low compared to ingestion routes.
The role of plumbing material and age, separate from the source water
Plumbing materials do not create or remove perchlorate
Perchlorate is a dissolved chemical and is not affected by typical pipe materials or plumbing age. Buildings with newer or older systems have similar perchlorate levels if fed by the same water source.
Corrosion or staining concerns relate to other constituents, not perchlorate
Unlike metals or minerals that interact with pipes, perchlorate presence is independent of household plumbing conditions.
How many samples and wells stand behind the figures, and what a small sample means
Seventeen samples over several months represent a limited snapshot of perchlorate presence
The EPA data from 2003–2005 include only 17 samples within the Cassatt Water Company #1 system, which supports thousands of connections. This small sample size means some variation in perchlorate levels likely exists outside those measurements.
One detection above the 4.0 µg/L reporting level indicates occasional measurable presence
Since median detected perchlorate was 4.5 µg/L, most samples were below detection limits. This suggests perchlorate is generally low but may vary with time or location within the system.
How the constituent enters groundwater or the distribution system in this region
Perchlorate commonly originates from industrial activities affecting groundwater
In Kershaw County, perchlorate can infiltrate groundwater due to historical or ongoing use of rocket propellant, explosives, or fertilizers that contain perchlorate salts.
Once in groundwater, perchlorate moves with the water and enters wells supplying the public system
Since Cassatt's public water system draws from groundwater, any perchlorate present at extraction points will enter the distribution system unless treated.
Choosing treatment for household perchlorate often involves selecting between options that rely on filtration or ion exchange technologies. The Fleck Perchlorate Filter, designed for residential use, ships ready to configure and provides an effective method to reduce perchlorate levels you measure in your own water. Selecting the appropriate system depends on your home's specific water quality and demand, which you determine through direct testing.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2003-08-06. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for CASSATT WATER CO #1 (SC2820005), SC: 17 results across 1 listed contaminants, 1 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL
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