Deciding Treatment Options for 1,2,3-TCP in Adams County Water

Government records from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information System indicate that 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) has not been detected above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L) in the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District public water system. This system serves over 75,000 people with surface water sources and has no health-based violations recorded for any constituents, including TCP.

If You Consider the Region’s Agricultural Land-Use History

Adams County’s land use includes agricultural activities historically associated with the application of soil fumigants and other chemicals that can degrade into 1,2,3-trichloropropane. This chlorinated solvent, once used as a pesticide additive, is persistent in the environment and can leach into surface and groundwater. While the local public water system monitoring did not detect TCP above small reporting thresholds, its presence in regional soils and groundwater is influenced by past agricultural practices.

If You Understand Why 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Resists Air Stripping

1,2,3-trichloropropane is a dense chlorinated solvent with very low volatility. Unlike some volatile organic compounds, TCP does not easily evaporate from water during air stripping processes. This property means treatment methods relying on aeration are generally ineffective for reducing TCP concentrations, directing homeowners to consider alternative filtration technologies.

If You Want to Know How the Treated Water Differs at the Tap

When a filtration technology specifically designed for TCP is employed, the treated water at the tap typically shows greatly reduced concentrations of this chlorinated solvent, improving taste and reducing any potential staining or corrosivity effects related to organic solvents. The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter, for example, provides this benefit by targeting TCP molecules, resulting in water more aligned with aesthetic quality preferences.

If You Wonder How the Documented Technology Works on 1,2,3-Trichloropropane

The Fleck System designed for 1,2,3-TCP uses specialized filtration media that binds and traps the chlorinated solvent molecules, physically removing them from the water stream. Unlike methods such as air stripping or standard carbon filtration that may not be as effective, this technology focuses on the chemical properties of TCP for targeted capture and retention, shipping ready to configure for household use.

If You Are Curious Why Reporting Levels for TCP Are So Low Compared to Metals

The monitoring detection level for 1,2,3-trichloropropane is set at 0.03 µg/L (0.03 parts per billion), a threshold much lower than typical detection levels for metals like lead or iron. This reflects the high toxicity and persistence of chlorinated solvents even at very low concentrations. The low reporting level helps in identifying even trace amounts, guiding decisions on filtration needs despite no regulatory maximum contaminant level currently established.

In summary, monitoring in Adams County shows no detection of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above reporting limits in the public water system, influenced by regional agricultural history. For homeowners weighing treatment options, the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter offers a technology designed to effectively reduce this chlorinated solvent where present, delivering improved water quality directly at the tap.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-02-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for South Adams County WSD (CO0101140), CO: 28 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level