Myth: 1,2,3-TCP Reached Groundwater Quickly Through Recent Soil Contamination
Many assume that 1,2,3-trichloropropane contamination in water happens immediately after soil fumigation or industrial use. However, historical use of chlorinated solvents like 1,2,3-TCP as soil fumigants mainly occurred from the 1950s through the 1980s, and its presence in groundwater can be the result of slow leaching over decades. This explains why deep groundwater in regions such as Delaware County, Ohio, may still be monitored for this chlorinated solvent long after its agricultural and industrial use declined.
Myth: A Federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Exists for 1,2,3-TCP
Some believe that federal regulations have established a Maximum Contaminant Level for 1,2,3-TCP, ensuring clear safety thresholds. In fact, no federal MCL exists for 1,2,3-trichloropropane to date. While California has set a state-level limit of 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L), roughly 0.005 micrograms per liter (µg/L), Delaware County's public water system records show detections below EPA reporting levels without any health-based federal violations. This difference illustrates regulatory gaps rather than suggesting risk levels in local water.
Myth: Sample Depth, Well Depth, or Source Type Uniformly Predict 1,2,3-TCP Levels
It is common to think that well or sample depth and whether the source is surface water or groundwater predict the presence of chlorinated solvents like TCP. Delaware County Water Company, Inc., serving the area with surface water, showed no detections of 1,2,3-TCP above 0.03 µg/L in federal monitoring from 2013 to 2015. However, because water quality can vary considerably at individual points, only testing your own household water can accurately establish your specific 1,2,3-TCP concentration.
Myth: Air Stripping Effectively Removes 1,2,3-TCP From Water
Air stripping is a common treatment for volatile organic compounds but is often mistakenly believed to be effective for 1,2,3-trichloropropane. The chlorinated solvent's chemical properties make it resistant to air stripping, meaning this method is generally not suitable for reducing TCP levels. Households evaluating treatment options should consider alternative technologies designed specifically for this chlorinated solvent.
Myth: Measured 1,2,3-TCP Values Define Your Home’s Water Safety
Government monitoring found no detection of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting limit of 0.03 µg/L in Delaware County’s public water supply. However, this monitoring is a broad survey of the public system’s water, not a personalized analysis. Detecting concentrations in parts per billion does not by itself indicate health risks or legal violations, and individual household water can only be assessed by specific testing.
Myth: 1,2,3-TCP Enters Groundwater or Distribution Systems Only Through Recent Local Sources
In regions like Delaware County, 1,2,3-TCP may persist in water due to contamination sourced historically, migrating slowly from soil fumigants and chlorinated solvent residues long after their use ceased. Surface water sources may be influenced by regional land use and watershed characteristics. Understanding how this chlorinated solvent enters your water system requires looking at historical and regional contamination patterns alongside current water treatment records.
Choosing between water treatment equipment classes for 1,2,3-TCP involves understanding these regional data points and chemical properties. The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for home use and is designed to address this specific chlorinated solvent, offering an alternative where air stripping is ineffective and personal water testing confirms need. By considering historical contamination sources, regulatory context, sample variability, and treatment chemistry, households in Delaware County can make informed equipment choices tailored to their water quality and demand.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-02-11. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Delaware County Water Company, Inc. (OH2101412), OH: 12 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level