When navigating a laboratory water test for perchlorate, the report typically shows the concentration measured in micrograms per liter (µg/L). For residents in Bear and Hockessin served by the Artesian Water Company, government monitoring under EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR1) from 2001 to 2005 found no perchlorate concentrations above the 4.0 µg/L reporting level in 48 samples. There is currently no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for perchlorate, so detected levels do not indicate a violation or unsafe water, but understanding treatment needs may still be important for your household.
If you want a water treatment system with straightforward maintenance
The Fleck Perchlorate Filter uses a Fleck system that ships ready to configure for residential use. The maintenance rhythm typically involves periodic media replacement and system checks tailored to household water usage and quality. This rhythm generally means manageable upkeep without continuous attention, helping maintain effective perchlorate reduction over time without complex interventions.
If you want to understand the difference between aesthetic and health-based water standards for perchlorate
Secondary standards for water quality, often addressing taste, odor, and staining, are separate from health-based limits. For perchlorate, the EPA has not set a federal MCL, meaning there is no enforceable health-based legal limit in place. The UCMR1 monitoring identifies occurrence but does not establish water safety or mandate treatment. Aesthetic thresholds do not apply to perchlorate as they do for minerals that cause taste or staining.
If you want to know how treated tap water changes after using a perchlorate filter
Once a Fleck Perchlorate Filter is in use, treated tap water should show significantly reduced perchlorate levels within the home's plumbing. This change means perchlorate is less likely to be present in water used for drinking and cooking, aligning household water quality with personal water test results that show lower or nondetectable perchlorate. This filter targets perchlorate specifically, in contrast to general filtration methods.
If you want to distinguish local public water system data from private well testing
Public water system records, like those from Artesian Water Company, summarize water quality across many connections served by surface water sources. These data describe broad trends and occurrence in the water supplied to the community but do not reflect individual home plumbing or private well conditions. Private wells require direct water testing to identify perchlorate or other constituents since their sources and treatment vary widely.
If you want to interpret the Artesian Water Company perchlorate data as a homeowner
The EPA record for Artesian Water Company shows a zero detection count of perchlorate above 4.0 µg/L out of 48 samples taken between 2001 and 2005. The median perchlorate level for this system was effectively below the detection threshold. This suggests that perchlorate was not measurable at the monitoring locations during that period, giving a general indication of low perchlorate presence in the source water serving Bear and Hockessin homes.
To confirm your household’s perchlorate level and determine if the Fleck Perchlorate Filter is the right choice, the key step is to conduct a private water test for perchlorate concentration. A lab report indicating any perchlorate above your personal comfort level or specific guidance thresholds would clarify the need for targeted treatment. This test delivers the definitive answer beyond system-wide data.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2002-05-29. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for ARTESIAN WATER COMPANY (DE0000552), DE: 48 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level