What Laboratory Reports Typically Show for 1,2,3-TCP
Measurement Units and Reporting Levels
Tests for 1,2,3-trichloropropane (or TCP) report concentrations in micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). For example, the federal reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP is set at 0.03 µg/L (0.03 ppb).
Results from Kent County's Public Water System
Between May 2014 and February 2015, the Kent County Water Authority conducted monitoring under EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3). None of the 16 samples had TCP detected above the federal reporting level of 0.03 µg/L. This means TCP was either below the instrument’s detection limit or not present at measurable levels in the system's surface water supply serving 94,107 people.
How California’s 5 ng/L Limit Compares with Federal Guidelines
Absence of a Federal Maximum Contaminant Level
The EPA has not established a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for 1,2,3-trichloropropane in drinking water. Therefore, no enforceable federal limit currently governs this compound.
California’s Stringent Public Health Goal
California has set a public health goal of 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L), equal to 0.005 µg/L, for 1,2,3-TCP — a much stricter figure than federal reporting levels. It is important to note this is a state advisory level and not a federal standard.
Why 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Resists Air Stripping
Chemical Properties Affecting Treatment Options
1,2,3-TCP is a chlorinated solvent with low volatility. Because of this, air stripping—a method that relies on transferring contaminants from water to air—is ineffective against TCP.
Implications for Home Water Treatment
Conventional treatment methods like air stripping do not adequately reduce TCP levels. Technologies that rely on adsorption or specialized filtration media designed for chlorinated solvents are recommended to address 1,2,3-TCP concerns.
Interpreting Kent County's Record Compared to Neighbouring Areas
Regional Variability
Monitoring data is specific to the Kent County Water Authority's surface water system and should not be generalized to private wells or other water sources in adjacent counties. Different geological and industrial factors can influence concentrations elsewhere.
Avoiding Overinterpretation
The absence of detections above reporting levels in this public system does not guarantee similar results in all local wells. Testing of individual household water remains necessary to confirm actual TCP concentrations.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in Monitoring Records
Sampling Dates Matter
The EPA data for Kent County spans from May 2014 to February 2015, reflecting about nine months of monitoring. Seasonal influences on 1,2,3-TCP levels can occur, but this dataset does not show detectable quantities during that period.
Repeated Monitoring for Trend Detection
Longer-term trends require multiple sampling rounds. The current record provides a snapshot rather than comprehensive temporal variation.
Distinguishing Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health-Based Levels
What Are Aesthetic Standards?
Secondary standards address taste, odor, staining, and corrosivity, related to constituents like chloride and total dissolved solids. These do not apply to 1,2,3-trichloropropane and are not health-based limits.
Focus on Health-Based Evaluations
Since the EPA has not set a health-based MCL for TCP, consumer guidelines rely on state advisories and research. Monitoring results indicating non-detection within reporting levels provide assurance but not absolute guarantees for individual households.
Next Steps for Homeowners Concerned About TCP
If you want to resolve questions about 1,2,3-trichloropropane concentrations in your household water, testing your supply at a certified laboratory is essential. For addressing any measured levels, the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter offers a documented approach. This filtration technology ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce 1,2,3-trichloropropane based on the concentration you find, providing a dependable option for households in Kent County.
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 Kent County Water Authority (RI1559511), RI: 16 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level