Many believe 1,2,3-TCP can be removed by air stripping, but why that is not the case
1,2,3-trichloropropane, often called TCP, is a chlorinated solvent with properties that make it resistant to air stripping methods. Unlike some volatile compounds easily transferred from water to air, TCP's chemical structure results in a low volatility, meaning standard air stripping is ineffective in reducing its concentrations. This characteristic has important implications for residential water treatment. Equipment relying solely on air stripping strategies may find themselves unable to keep up, especially when TCP presence requires consistent and effective reduction methods.
It's commonly thought that recent industrial activity causes 1,2,3-TCP in groundwater, yet historical sources explain its presence
Government monitoring of the Portage public water system, serving over 46,000 people, indicates that 1,2,3-TCP detections are attributed to legacy contamination from a soil fumigant impurity used mainly between the 1950s and 1980s. This chlorinated solvent traveled slowly through soil and into deep groundwater over decades. Thus, even though the source water is groundwater, current industrial or agricultural activities are not the sole explanation. Understanding this historical context clarifies why 1,2,3-TCP may be found in water systems today without recent inputs.
Many confuse 1,2,3-TCP with common volatile organic compounds that behave differently in water treatment
While other chlorinated solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be present in water, 1,2,3-trichloropropane is chemically distinct in behavior and treatment response. Unlike solvents such as trichloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene, TCP’s resistance to standard air stripping and its low volatility create unique challenges. This distinction is essential for households evaluating their water quality issues, as treatment methods effective for other VOCs might not address TCP effectively.
Before assuming 1,2,3-TCP is the cause of persistent water issues, what should a homeowner check first?
Households should proceed in stages when assessing water quality concerns potentially related to TCP. Start with inexpensive or simple measures such as checking water clarity, taste, and odor, which are not reliable indicators of TCP presence. Then, consider testing for more common water quality parameters potentially causing similar symptoms. Comprehensive laboratory testing specific for 1,2,3-trichloropropane is required to confirm its concentration because government monitoring reports only system-wide data and not individual household water. This approach helps rule out other problems and guides appropriate treatment decisions.
Which household symptoms indicate a water quality issue related to 1,2,3-TCP and which symptoms do not?
Symptoms such as unusual taste or odor in water are common triggers for concern but are not dependable indicators of 1,2,3-TCP presence because this compound is odorless and tasteless at typical measured levels. Likewise, staining, cloudiness, or color changes point to other water quality factors. A household experiencing issues like persistent chemical odors or corrosion effects should consider alternative causes first. Confirming TCP involves laboratory analysis, not symptom observation alone.
For households in Portage where existing equipment struggles to reduce 1,2,3-trichloropropane to desired levels, a specialized technology known as the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter is available. This product is designed to handle the specific challenge posed by TCP’s chemical resilience and can be purchased ready to configure for residential use. Testing your water specifically for 1,2,3-TCP concentration will help determine if this advanced solution meets your household’s needs based on documented system measurements and personal water quality.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-10-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Portage (MI0005520), MI: 22 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level