Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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If you notice your household water treatment equipment is keeping up less well with concerns about chlorinated solvents, especially 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), you are not alone in Keene, Cheshire County, NH. The Keene Water Department provides surface water to about 30,000 people through over 6,000 connections. Although none of the federal records show any health-based violations, some households choose to address this solvent using targeted water treatment technology.

If you observe 1,2,3-TCP levels measured far below common metal reporting thresholds but want clarity

The federal government uses very low reporting levels for 1,2,3-TCP—much lower than those for metals or many other contaminants—because this chlorinated solvent is a volatile organic compound with persistent environmental presence. In the public water system record for Keene, from 2014 to 2015, eight samples were taken for 1,2,3-trichloropropane, and none showed detection above 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to 0.03 parts per billion (ppb). This reporting level is deliberately set low to detect even trace amounts, not to indicate a safety threshold. This means occasional detections just above this level would not imply a health violation or unsafe water.

If you want to understand how historical agricultural use in Cheshire County relates to 1,2,3-TCP presence

1,2,3-trichloropropane is a legacy chlorinated solvent once used mainly as a soil fumigant until the late 20th century. Agricultural land use across parts of Cheshire County, including areas near Keene, influenced where traces of TCP could appear in surface or groundwater. Because the Keene Water Department draws from surface water, the agricultural history around the watershed matters as part of the overall picture. This background helps explain why monitoring for 1,2,3-TCP occurs even when current levels register below the reporting threshold.

If certain fixtures or appliances in your home seem affected before others

Certain water uses and appliances can become noticeable first if chlorinated solvents like TCP enter household water. For example, equipment that heats or aerates water—such as showers, dishwashers, or humidifiers—may release volatile compounds into indoor air more readily, causing stronger odors or taste effects. Point-of-entry or point-of-use filters designed specifically to address chlorinated solvents can help households that find their existing water treatment equipment is not fully effective against TCP-related concerns.

If you plan to seek advice or select water treatment products, what to note first

• Record the date and time of any unusual taste or odor observations at water fixtures.
• Note which fixtures show the most noticeable effects.
• Obtain your home's water test results for 1,2,3-trichloropropane concentration; municipal records only show system-wide samples.
• Keep available the Keene Water Department’s water quality reports for reference.

This information is necessary to assess if additional treatment is warranted and to select appropriate technology to supplement your current equipment.

If you want to understand how a legacy soil fumigant impurity from decades ago still affects water today

1,2,3-TCP was used from the 1950s through the 1980s as a soil fumigant impurity. Over time, this chlorinated solvent leached into deeper groundwater and surface water, where it can persist due to its stable chemical structure. Even though these uses stopped decades ago, small concentrations can remain detectable, which is why federal monitoring continues. This persistence helps explain why TCP may still be measured in municipal water systems like Keene’s despite no recent local use.

If you want to know how California's 5 nanograms per liter state limit compares with federal regulation

California enforces a strict 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L) limit for 1,2,3-trichloropropane, equivalent to 0.005 µg/L, reflecting a more cautious standard than federal regulations. The EPA currently has no maximum contaminant level (MCL) for TCP in its national regulations, so federal systems are monitored without a numeric regulatory limit. Keene's water system record shows no federal health-based violations related to TCP. Understanding this difference helps households interpret local testing and decide on treatment options based on their sensitivity or preferences.

In summary, federal records covering the Keene Water Department's public water system show no detection of 1,2,3-TCP above 0.03 µg/L in samples from 2014 to 2015. This data covers the entire system, not individual homes, so testing your own water is essential to know its specific quality. For households whose current equipment cannot keep up with 1,2,3-TCP-related issues, the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter technology ships ready to configure and can serve as a documented solution. More information about public water system monitoring and regulations is available from the EPA’s official records.

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