Are 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) levels in Albuquerque water a concern for your home? Available EPA data from 2013 to 2015 for the Albuquerque Water System serving Bernalillo County shows no detections above the reporting threshold of 0.03 micrograms per liter in 60 samples. This means 1,2,3-TCP was not measurable at the detection limit in this public water system, which has no health-based violations on record.
If You Live in a Large Household, a Second Home, or Use Seasonal Water
Water use patterns can influence how 1,2,3-TCP may accumulate or interact within your plumbing system, especially if your household size or occupancy varies significantly from the average. For homes with high daily water consumption, or those used intermittently such as vacation properties, stagnant water can sometimes concentrate trace constituents differently than in continuously used systems. Understanding your specific water use helps assess whether point-of-entry water treatment would be beneficial.
If You Have Received a Certified Laboratory Test Result for 1,2,3-TCP
A certified laboratory test report for 1,2,3-TCP will show the concentration detected or indicate a non-detection relative to the laboratory's reporting limit. For the Albuquerque Water System, the EPA reporting level was 0.03 µg/L. Any number below this is considered not detected but not necessarily zero. Reading your test requires noting the detection limit, the measured concentration, and comparing those to the EPA system data and any applicable health guidelines to interpret relative presence.
If You Wonder Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits on 1,2,3-TCP
For 1,2,3-TCP, a federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) has not been established, so there is no legally enforceable health-based limit at the federal level. Some water quality assessments focus on aesthetic secondary standards for taste or odor, but these are unrelated to health thresholds. This means that a detection below reporting limits does not imply aesthetic impact, and an aesthetic threshold exceedance does not equal a health concern.
If 1,2,3-TCP Remains Untreated Over Years in Household Water
Long-term presence of 1,2,3-TCP at very low or non-detectable levels typically has no observable effect on household appliances or water clarity, and no violation has been recorded in the Albuquerque system. However, without specific testing of your own water supply, it is impossible to confirm your household's exact exposure. Leaving untreated water containing 1,2,3-TCP at concentrations above non-detectable levels calls for monitoring or treatment consideration but does not guarantee any adverse outcome alone.
If You Are Considering Treatment and Want to Request Advice
- Note your household water consumption pattern (daily, seasonal, number of occupants).
- Obtain a detailed certified lab analysis reporting 1,2,3-TCP concentration with detection limits.
- Record any observations about water taste, odor, or staining unrelated to 1,2,3-TCP.
- Understand that the Albuquerque Water System records show no measurable 1,2,3-TCP above reporting limits, helping to establish regional context.
These details help provide a clear picture before inquiring about water treatment options.
WaterSoftenerPlus offers the C-Series 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which ships ready to configure for residential use, designed specifically to reduce levels of 1,2,3-TCP when testing indicates its presence. This device can be considered when certified lab results indicate a measurable concentration that concerns you.
In summary, Albuquerque public water system data indicates no detected 1,2,3-TCP above EPA reporting limits between 2013 and 2015. If your household has unique water use or your own test reports detectable 1,2,3-TCP, recording those specifics is essential before seeking treatment advice or considering specialized filters like the C-Series system.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-14. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Albuquerque Water System (NM3510701), NM: 60 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level