Government Sampling Record for 1,2,3-TCP in Clackamas County
The Sunrise Water Authority, serving Clackamas County with surface water, reported zero detections above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb) in 20 measurements of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) according to the EPA’s UCMR3 monitoring from 2013 to 2015. There are no health-based violations recorded for this chlorinated solvent in the system’s water supply.
Regional Agricultural Land-Use and Its Connection to 1,2,3-TCP Detections
Legacy Use of Soil Fumigants
Clackamas County’s history includes agricultural use of soil fumigants containing chlorinated solvents. These historical applications can correlate with low-level occurrences of 1,2,3-TCP in water sources but do not imply current contamination or unsafe levels.
Mapping Detections to Regional Sources
Detectable TCP in water can originate from past land use patterns affecting surface water, yet none were detected in public water records for Sunrise Water Authority. This suggests municipal treatment and source protection effectively manage known regional influences.
Why the 1,2,3-TCP Reporting Level Is So Low Compared to Metals
Trace Level Detection
The 0.03 µg/L reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP is significantly lower than typical metal thresholds to allow tracking the solvent at parts per trillion levels. This helps regulators monitor this chlorinated solvent due to its persistence and potential health concerns at very low concentrations, not because current levels are unsafe.
Implications of Low-Level Monitoring
Because 1,2,3-TCP is monitored at such low levels, detection above this threshold is cautiously noted, but is not a measure of immediate health risk or regulatory violation.
Evaluating Treatment Capacity Against Household Demand
Matching Flow Rate to Daily Water Use
When existing equipment does not keep pace with household water use for 1,2,3-TCP concerns, treatment capacity needs to be assessed based on the family’s peak water flow and daily consumption. This ensures the treatment media is not overwhelmed and maintains its effectiveness.
Planning for Consistent Performance
Equipment like the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for home use, designed to handle typical residential flow rates when properly matched, ensuring stable operation under varying water demands.
Granular Activated Carbon Contact Time: Bed Depth’s Critical Role
Effect of Bed Depth on TCP Adsorption
Granular activated carbon removes chlorinated solvents like 1,2,3-trichloropropane through adsorption that depends greatly on contact time. Deeper carbon beds increase contact time, improving TCP capture much more than for substances influencing taste alone.
Why Depth Matters More for TCP
Unlike taste-related contaminants, TCP molecules require extended contact within the carbon bed due to their chemical properties. Insufficient bed depth can underperform in reducing this chlorinated solvent even if aesthetic qualities are improved.
Interpreting Median and Range of 1,2,3-TCP in the Water Record
What the Median Indicates for Homeowners
The median of zero detections from EPA monitoring means typical TCP levels are below the reporting limit in the Sunrise Water Authority system. This does not guarantee individual household water is identically low, only that the system’s overall water quality meets these parameters.
Understanding the Range in Context
A range showing no detected levels above 0.03 µg/L over 20 samples suggests stable historical water quality regarding 1,2,3-TCP but is not a substitute for testing your own water supply.
Fixtures and Processes Most Sensitive to 1,2,3-TCP Presence
First Points of Concern
Household fixtures that use water continuously or without additional treatment, such as kitchen taps or ice makers, may be the first to reflect any chlorinated solvent presence due to their direct consumption role.
Processes with Elevated Exposure Potential
Appliances involving water heating or prolonged contact, like dishwashers, may expose users to higher solvent concentrations if 1,2,3-TCP is present and untreated, as heating can increase volatilization and inhalation risk.
Next Step: Testing for 1,2,3-Trichloropropane in Your Home Water
To confirm your household’s water condition regarding 1,2,3-TCP, order a certified water test that specifically measures this chlorinated solvent at or below 0.03 µg/L. A non-detect result would indicate water consistent with regional water system monitoring records, settling the question of your personal exposure.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-07-28. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Sunrise Water Authority (OR4100635), OR: 20 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level