Understanding 1,2,3-TCP in Puerto Rico Residential Water Supplies: What Government Records Indicate

Whole House 1,2,3-TCP Reduction Water Filter System - Trichloropropane Removal

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Step 1: Why 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Has a Much Lower Reporting Level Than Metals

It is common to assume that all contaminants are reported at similar levels in water quality data, but 1,2,3-TCP—a chlorinated solvent—has a reporting threshold that is thousands of times lower than typical metals. For instance, federal monitoring sets the reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP at 0.03 micrograms per liter (or 0.03 parts per billion), reflecting its persistent nature and potential health effects at very low concentrations.

Step 2: How California’s Strict 5 Nanogram per Liter Limit Compares to the Lack of a Federal Maximum Contaminant Level

Unlike many regulated contaminants, there is no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for 1,2,3-TCP in public water systems. However, California has established a state limit of 5 nanograms per liter (0.005 micrograms per liter), which is substantially lower than the federal reporting threshold. This difference means federal data only indicate detections above 0.03 micrograms per liter, so some lower concentrations may not be reflected.

Step 3: What the Water System Record Shows About Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation

According to EPA records from 2013 to 2016 for the Mayaguez public water system in Puerto Rico, 52 samples were taken and none showed 1,2,3-TCP at or above the reporting level. These samples span multiple seasons and years, suggesting stability in measured levels throughout different environmental conditions during the monitoring period.

Step 4: Influence of Sampling Depth, Well Depth, and Water Source on Expected Levels

1,2,3-TCP presence can be influenced by whether water is drawn from shallow or deep wells, or surface sources versus groundwater. While the Mayaguez system’s records integrate all supply sources, individual household water quality depends on local well depth and surrounding geology. A private well’s water may differ and requires specific testing.

Step 5: Assessing Treatment Capacity Relative to Household Water Use

For a household seeking to address possible 1,2,3-trichloropropane concerns, treatment technology must match daily water demand. Selecting equipment with appropriate capacity ensures effective processing without restricting supply. The C-Series 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure and is designed for residential volumes.

Step 6: How 1,2,3-TCP Typically Enters Groundwater and Distribution Systems in This Region

1,2,3-TCP often originates as a contaminant from historical use in soil fumigants and industrial solvents. It can leach into groundwater over time, particularly in agricultural or industrial zones with past chlorinated solvent application. The Mayaguez water system’s monitoring reflects these regional influences as captured in public water supply sampling.

In summary, the Mayaguez water system in Puerto Rico has a federal record showing no 1,2,3-TCP concentrations detected above the reporting level over multiple years. Understanding regulatory differences, regional water source characteristics, and household water demand helps decide when to consider testing and treatment solutions like the C-Series 1,2,3-TCP Filter.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2016-12-13. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Mayaguez (PR0003283), PR: 52 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level