If Your Lab Report for 1,2,3-TCP Shows a Result, What Does It Mean?
A water test report for 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) typically lists the concentration in micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). It quantifies the presence of this chlorinated solvent, a legacy impurity often tied to historic soil fumigants used between the 1950s and 1980s. However, this number alone doesn’t establish whether your water is in compliance with legal limits or if it poses a health risk. Your own well or tap testing is crucial to determine the concentration specific to your household.
If You Want to Know How 1,2,3-TCP Arrived in Water Decades After Past Soil Use
1,2,3-trichloropropane is a byproduct impurity found in soil fumigants that were commonly applied in agricultural or pest control efforts from the mid-20th century. Though these chemicals were used many decades ago, their residues can persist and migrate underground, eventually reaching groundwater sources or surface water supplies. This slow movement accounts for why 1,2,3-TCP is sometimes detected long after its original application, affecting local water systems dependent on these sources.
If You Wonder Why 1,2,3-TCP Does Not Respond Well to Air Stripping Treatment
This chlorinated solvent is notably resistant to air stripping, a process that typically removes volatile organic compounds by transferring them from water to air. 1,2,3-TCP’s chemical properties make it difficult to volatilize efficiently, which means that removing TCP requires alternative treatment technologies. Knowing this helps households narrow down suitable options to address TCP in their water supply effectively.
If You Look at Keene’s Public Water Record and Find No Detects for 1,2,3-TCP in EPA Monitoring
The Keene Water Department, serving Cheshire County, NH, underwent federal monitoring under the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) from 2013 to 2015. This survey found no detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting level of 0.03 µg/L—or 0.03 ppb—in eight samples tested from their surface water source. This monitoring does not represent routine compliance testing but provides a snapshot of the water system’s constituents at that time. The record shows no health-based violations related to TCP from the EPA’s perspective, indicating no measured presence above the detection threshold in public system samples.
If You Consider Your Private Well or Your Seasonal Home Instead of the Public System
Public water system records like Keene’s reflect water quality for the system’s source and average conditions across all connections, not individual residences. Private wells and some seasonal properties can have very different water quality profiles, influenced by local soils, well depth, and plumbing. Testing your own water for 1,2,3-TCP and other constituents is the only way to know your household’s specific situation. This is especially important if your well draws from shallow groundwater or areas with a history of chemical use. Homes with larger water needs or multiple residences may want to assess treatment options that can handle fluctuating volumes and conditions.
Summary: What the EPA's Keene Water System Record Establishes and Does Not Establish About 1,2,3-TCP
The federal data reviewed from 2013 to 2015 shows no detection of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above 0.03 µg/L in the Keene Water Department’s surface water supply serving Cheshire County, NH. This information documents conditions for the public water system overall and is not a substitute for individual water testing. Households concerned about 1,2,3-TCP can consider the documented technology of the C-Series 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which ships ready to configure and is designed to address this constituent specifically. For detailed data, consult the EPA’s public water system records directly.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-03-09. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Keene Water Department (NH1241010), NH: 8 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level