Understanding 1,2,3-TCP Presence in Local Water Supplies
Typical laboratory test results for 1,2,3-trichloropropane
Water tests for 1,2,3-TCP list concentrations in micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). For Casper's public water system, seven samples collected between March and December 2015 showed all results below the detection threshold of 0.03 µg/L. This measure represents the reporting level, not a health safety standard or violation.
How Chlorinated Solvent 1,2,3-TCP Reaches Groundwater Decades After Soil Use
Legacy of soil fumigants from mid-20th century agricultural practices
1,2,3-TCP was historically used as a soil fumigant and has persisted in some environments since the 1950s through the 1980s. Its persistence and movement through soil layers can lead to contamination of groundwater over many years, long after original use ceased.
Why the Reporting Level for TCP Is Set Much Lower Than for Metals
Detection limits versus regulatory health-based thresholds
Government sampling for TCP uses a reporting level of 0.03 µg/L, which is thousands of times lower than typical limits set for common metals in water. This low threshold is due to the sensitive detection methods and the absence of a federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) specifically for 1,2,3-TCP.
Questions Commercial or Industrial Operators Consider Beyond Household Concerns
Higher volume usage and regulatory monitoring
Commercial systems often monitor for 1,2,3-TCP due to larger water volumes and potential higher exposure risks. While residential users focus on household-scale water quality, larger operations require comprehensive monitoring and may apply additional water treatment techniques.
Comparing Casper's Record with Neighboring Counties Without Overreading Data
Contextualizing local 1,2,3-TCP detections
Casper's public water system record shows no detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting level, which is consistent with safe water standards and regulatory oversight. Comparison with neighboring counties should consider differences in source water and land use without assuming direct equivalence to individual household water quality.
Reading Median and Range Values for 1,2,3-TCP as a Homeowner
Interpreting absence of detections and what it means for your home
The median of zero detections means that 1,2,3-TCP was not found above the reporting limit in tested samples. However, individual well or tap water can only be accurately assessed by direct laboratory testing because system-wide data do not represent specific household conditions.
Recommended Water Test to Clarify Your 1,2,3-TCP Situation
Ordering a personal household water analysis
To determine if your household water contains detectable 1,2,3-trichloropropane concentrations, request a certified laboratory test that measures TCP at or below 0.03 µg/L. A result below this reporting level would confirm concentrations consistent with the public water record, helping you decide if additional treatment like the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which ships ready to configure, is needed to maintain your water quality goals.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-16. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Casper Board of Public Utilities (WY5601415), WY: 7 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level