If you observe or hear about 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) as a possible water concern in Pierre, Hughes County, your starting point is the official water system record. The public water system serving Pierre, with over 5,000 connections, draws from surface water sources and serves more than 14,000 residents.
If You Learn That 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Resists Air Stripping
1,2,3-TCP is a chlorinated solvent, historically used in industrial and agricultural applications. Unlike volatile organic compounds that can be removed from water by air stripping—a method that transfers contaminants from water to air—1,2,3-trichloropropane resists this process. Its low volatility means air stripping is ineffective for this contaminant, requiring water treatment methods that rely on adsorption or chemical transformation rather than evaporation.
If You Consider Granular Activated Carbon Contact Time's Role in TCP Treatment
Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration is widely used for adsorbing chlorinated solvents including TCP. For 1,2,3-trichloropropane, contact time—the duration water spends in contact with the carbon—is critical. A deeper carbon bed or slower flow rate enhances this contact time, improving the adsorption of TCP molecules. This factor is more decisive for TCP than for taste-related contaminants, where shorter contact times often suffice. For households looking at GAC, attention to filter bed depth and flow dynamics matters more than might be expected.
If You Wonder What Differentiates 1,2,3-TCP from Other Common Water Concerns
1,2,3-trichloropropane differs notably from other substances often confused with it, such as trihalomethanes or chlorinated taste-and-odor compounds. Those compounds may be more volatile or reactive, allowing for removal through air stripping or simple oxidation. In contrast, TCP's chemical stability and low volatility require tailored approaches. Also, 1,2,3-TCP lacks an established federal maximum contaminant level (MCL), so it is measured and monitored without formal legal limits at the federal level, differentiating its regulatory status from other common water contaminants.
If You Consider How Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation Is Evident in Monitoring Records
The EPA’s third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) data for Pierre’s public water system, collected from January to September 2014, shows no detections of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L, equivalent to parts per billion) in 24 samples. This snapshot indicates no measurable presence during that monitoring period, but it is not a comprehensive or continuous test of individual household taps. Seasonal variations in surface water source quality and usage could affect local concentrations over time, and repeated sampling is necessary to understand possible fluctuations.
If You Consider Plumbing Material and Age as Distinct From Source Water
While the primary source water for Pierre comes from surface water, plumbing materials inside homes can influence water characteristics. Older plumbing systems or those using certain plastics or sealants might affect the presence or behavior of water constituents independently of source water quality, including the potential for absorption or release of chlorinated solvents or their breakdown products. These plumbing factors do not originate from the public water system but can add complexity to a home's water profile.
Closing: Understanding the Public Water System Record and Next Steps
The public water system record for Pierre, Hughes County, documents zero detections of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above a federal reporting level during the 2014 UCMR3 monitoring. This record covers the system serving over 14,000 people through more than 5,000 connections but does not measure an individual home’s water. To clarify your household’s specific water quality regarding TCP, having your water tested at an accredited laboratory is necessary.
For households concerned about 1,2,3-TCP, water treatment devices that use granular activated carbon with sufficient contact time can help address potential presence of this chlorinated solvent. The Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for residential use and employs this method effectively within documented water treatment approaches.
For detailed information and official records, visit the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System for the Pierre public water system (System ID SD4600242).
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-09-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Pierre (SD4600242), SD: 24 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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