According to the EPA’s public water system record for Joliet (IL1970450), which serves roughly 160,000 people through 49,000 connections in Will County, testing for 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) from 2013 to 2015 showed no detections above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). This report provides baseline information without indicating any federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for TCP in this groundwater source.
1. Understanding Why the Reporting Level for 1,2,3-TCP is So Much Lower Than Typical Metal Standards
The reporting level of 0.03 µg/L (ppb) for TCP is set thousands of times lower than those for common metals like iron or manganese because TCP is a synthetic chlorinated solvent with different chemical properties and health considerations. Metals often have reporting levels in the parts per million or higher ranges, reflecting different toxicological profiles and analytical detection methods. The federal monitoring program targets TCP at extremely low concentrations to better understand its occasional presence even though it is not regulated by a federal MCL.
2. Comparing California’s 5 Nanograms per Liter State Limit with the Absence of a Federal MCL
California has established a state notification level for 1,2,3-TCP at 0.005 µg/L (5 nanograms per liter, ng/L), significantly more stringent than the federal reporting level. This reflects heightened state-level caution based on potential health effects observed in toxicological studies. The federal government has not set a maximum contaminant level for TCP, meaning no enforceable health-based limit exists federally. This lack does not imply safety or violation; it means regulation is under consideration or data is being gathered.
3. What the Measured Range of TCP Means Against Federal Standards and What It Does Not Convey
The Joliet public water system’s detection record from the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) shows no TCP detected above 0.03 µg/L during the monitoring period. This absence of detection above the reporting level means the system’s groundwater source is free from measurable levels at or above that threshold during sampling. It is important to note this measurement does not guarantee individual household taps are free of TCP, as private well water may differ and could require specific testing.
4. Clarifying 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in the Sampling Records
- Detected: A detected value means the chemical was measured above the reporting threshold; no detections above 0.03 µg/L were recorded for TCP in Joliet’s system.
- Median: This is the middle value when results are ordered numerically. Since no detections occurred above the threshold, the median falls below it.
- Range: The range shows lowest to highest measured levels. In this case, it spans from non-detectable to just under 0.03 µg/L for 1,2,3-TCP.
5. What Treated Water at the Tap is Like After Using the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter
Once equipped with the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter, household water undergoes targeted treatment that reduces traces of this chlorinated solvent. This technology uses a validated process to address TCP, providing an additional layer of assurance for residents who want to minimize exposure regardless of public water testing results. The filter ships ready to configure, allowing homeowners to implement a treatment solution matched to their demand based on personal water testing results.
Choosing between technical approaches for household water treatment often involves comparing effectiveness, maintenance, and operational considerations. The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter provides a proven option for managing this specific chlorinated solvent, enabling residents in Will County to tailor their water quality management confidently.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-11-13. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Joliet (IL1970450), IL: 22 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level