Interpreting 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in Waterloo's 1,2,3-TCP Sampling
Detected means measured, not a violation
From 2014 EPA monitoring for Waterloo Waterworks, 1,2,3-trichloropropane was measured but never above the detection threshold of 0.03 micrograms per liter. This means instruments did not find levels above that value during sampling; detected here indicates measurement, not a safety or legal issue.
Median is the middle value in samples
With no detection above the reporting limit in 18 samples, the median concentration effectively registers below that reporting level. Median reflects central tendency, not extremes affecting individual homes.
Range covers highest to lowest sample values
Range in this monitoring shows no values above detection limits. This data applies to the public water system, not specific home taps.
Household Signs That May and May Not Indicate 1,2,3-TCP Issues
Possible symptoms include unusual tastes or chemical odors
1,2,3-TCP can impart detectable taste or odor at elevated levels, although EPA records show no such occurrences in Waterloo Waterworks.
Symptoms not linked to 1,2,3-TCP include discoloration or sediment
Rust or sediment problems usually stem from other causes. 1,2,3-TCP is a chemical and does not cause particulate or color issues.
Distinguishing 1,2,3-TCP from Similar Water Issues
1,2,3-TCP relates to synthetic chemical presence
Unlike minerals or biological contaminants, 1,2,3-TCP is a chlorinated solvent byproduct with distinct chemical detection methods.
Other common confusions involve metals or organic matter
Iron or organic tastes differ chemically and are identified through different testing protocols.
Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ From Health-Based Limits for 1,2,3-TCP
Aesthetic standards address taste and odor
Water can meet all health standards yet have taste or odor concerns prompting secondary guidelines. 1,2,3-TCP has no federally established maximum contaminant level but may affect perception.
Health-based limits focus on long-term exposure safety
Where health-based violations occur, they indicate potential risk, but Waterloo Waterworks has no such violation linked to 1,2,3-TCP.
Example: Reading 1,2,3-TCP Median and Range as a Waterloo Homeowner
Use the sampling record to estimate likely system concentration
With zero detections above 0.03 µg/L in 18 samples, typical concentration in the system is below this reporting level.
Recognize that individual home water quality may vary
Only a certified test of your own tap can confirm household levels of 1,2,3-TCP.
Information to Gather Before Seeking 1,2,3-TCP Water Treatment Advice
Note symptoms and their timing
Document any unusual tastes, odors, or water issues that appeared since your previous system stopped working.
Obtain a recent certified lab test for 1,2,3-TCP
This test is crucial to confirm the presence and level of 1,2,3-TCP in your household water.
Record household water usage
Understanding daily water demand helps select a treatment solution sized for your needs.
For households in Waterloo Black Hawk County facing issues with 1,2,3-TCP after existing equipment failure, the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for residential demand levels, providing a documented treatment option aligned with your certified water analysis.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-09-16. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Waterloo Waterworks (IA0790074), IA: 18 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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