Common belief: Local agricultural use means widespread 1,2,3-TCP contamination in all homes
The history of farming and land use in Silver Bow County has included applications of soil fumigants dating back decades. Some of these products contained impurities like 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), a chlorinated solvent now federally monitored due to its persistence in the environment. However, government water system records for the Butte Silverbow Water Department, which serves roughly 33,000 residents, show no detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting threshold during monitoring from 2013 through 2015. This does not mean every property in the area is free from TCP, but it does indicate no widespread measurable presence in the public supply during that period.
Common belief: TCP from historical soil fumigants instantly affects groundwater and private wells
Although 1,2,3-TCP was a known impurity in fumigants used from the 1950s to 1980s, its journey from soil to deep groundwater can take decades due to slow movement through geologic layers. This delay explains why contaminants like TCP may appear far later than original applications. Surface water, which supplies the Butte Silverbow Water Department system, is sourced differently than groundwater, meaning its chemical profile is influenced by different environmental pathways and treatment processes.
Common belief: Public water system reports fully describe the quality of private well water
The EPA's public water system records for the Butte Silverbow Water Department reflect monitoring of a surface water source and distribution to public connections. These records do not capture conditions in private wells or plumbing, which can be influenced by local geology, plumbing materials, and well depth. Only testing of an individual home's water supply by a certified laboratory can determine the precise levels of 1,2,3-TCP or other constituents for that residence.
Common belief: Taste and odor treatment methods are effective indicators of TCP removal
While taste and odor concerns in water often relate to organic matter or chlorine, 1,2,3-TCP is a chlorinated solvent requiring specific contact time in treatment media to reduce its concentration effectively. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration depth plays a crucial role in contact time, and for TCP, deeper beds significantly improve treatment performance compared to methods optimized only for taste and odor compounds.
Common belief: A few water samples provide a complete picture of TCP levels in the region
The monitoring data for 1,2,3-TCP in Silver Bow's public water system comes from 12 sampling events with no detections above 0.03 micrograms per liter (0.03 parts per billion). While this suggests low levels or absence of the chemical in the monitored system, the limited number of samples means localized variations or private wells outside the public system's data are not represented. Additional individual testing is needed to understand specific household water quality fully.
Common belief: Treatment technologies require complex upkeep and constant service
The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for home use and is designed for straightforward maintenance schedules. This system uses granular activated carbon designed for effective contact time with the chlorinated solvent, with maintenance activities timed according to usage and water quality factors. Clear guidance helps homeowners maintain performance without complicated servicing needs.
In summary, the Butte Silverbow Water Department's federal monitoring records reflect no detectable 1,2,3-trichloropropane in the public surface water supply during the 2013-2015 period sampled. These data apply to the public water system as a whole, not to individual home water conditions. For households concerned about 1,2,3-TCP or other compounds, certified laboratory testing of their own water source provides essential information. Additional details and official reports can be accessed through the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System public water system records.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-04-28. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Butte Silverbow Water Department (MT0000170), MT: 12 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level