Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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Myth: 1,2,3-TCP Is Present in Every Household's Water in Missoula

The water supplied by Mountain Water Company to Missoula homes comes from groundwater drawn locally. Between 2013 and 2015, federal monitoring under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) found no 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) detections above 0.03 µg/L in this system’s samples. This means that, according to government data, 1,2,3-TCP was measured below the reporting threshold and not detected during testing of this public water system. While this provides an important regional baseline, the water quality at any individual home tap can vary due to plumbing or point-of-entry factors.

Myth: You Know Your Water’s 1,2,3-TCP Level Without Testing

Government-supplied data covers a large area and many homes but does not replace a water test specific to your residence. To determine the precise 1,2,3-TCP concentration in your household water, a certified laboratory analysis of a sample collected at your tap is necessary. Testing captures your water profile, including any changes after treatment or distribution. Keep thorough notes on sampling date, location, and any recent plumbing changes to provide context for interpretation and treatment planning if needed.

Myth: Household Size and Use Don’t Affect 1,2,3-TCP Water Treatment

The volume of water your household consumes each day influences the size and turnover of any filtration equipment. Larger families, second homes used seasonally, or properties with fluctuating occupancy require adjustments in system capacity and maintenance schedules to maintain effective 1,2,3-TCP mitigation. Anticipating daily water demand helps ensure filtration systems can handle peak loads and avoid breakthrough of contaminants.

Myth: 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' Indicate Health Risks Instantly

Terms in EPA sampling reports like 'detected,' 'median,' and 'range' have specific meanings. A detection simply means measurement of 1,2,3-TCP above a reporting level in some samples, not a violation or indication of unsafe water. The data for Missoula’s water system showed zero detections above 0.03 µg/L in the 44 samples taken. Medians and ranges describe statistical distributions within testing but do not establish compliance or health status. This nuanced understanding helps prevent misinterpretation of monitoring results.

Myth: Treatment Capacity Is Universal, Not Linked to Daily Water Use

Judging whether a treatment solution suits your household depends on daily water demand. Filtration systems designed to reduce 1,2,3-TCP must match flow rates and capacity to the volume you use regularly. Undersizing could lead to ineffective removal, while oversizing may increase cost and complexity unnecessarily. Evaluating your water use patterns and peak consumption times guides appropriate equipment selection and replacement frequency.

What You Should Not Conclude from Missoula Area Data

The absence of measurable 1,2,3-TCP in municipal water samples from Mountain Water Company does not guarantee that all residential water is free of this chemical. Individual water quality can differ due to plumbing materials, private wells, or other factors not captured in area-wide sampling. Conversely, no detection in area monitoring confirms the public groundwater source has low or undetectable 1,2,3-TCP levels during that monitoring period. To address household concerns, testing your water and considering targeted treatment is the most reliable next step.

For households seeking to manage or reduce 1,2,3-TCP in water, the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure and offers a documented solution to address this compound effectively. Matching the filter capacity to your family’s daily water usage ensures optimal performance and peace of mind regarding your water quality.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-11-17. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Mountain Water Company (MT0000294), MT: 44 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level