Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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A common belief: 1,2,3-trichloropropane is widespread and easily removed by air stripping

Many assume that 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), a chlorinated solvent sometimes found in water, is both commonly present and can be eliminated through simple aeration methods. However, government sampling for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District, which serves over 35,000 people in York County, Maine, detected no measurable TCP above the reporting threshold of 0.03 micrograms per liter (ppb) in eight samples taken between 2013 and 2015. This federal monitoring was conducted under the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule and is not a compliance test. While the absence of detection in this public water system’s record does not guarantee that individual homes have no TCP, it contradicts the notion of widespread presence in this area’s treated water supply.

Moreover, 1,2,3-trichloropropane is resistant to air stripping due to its chemical properties. This resistance influences treatment choices for households, especially when existing equipment has failed and a different approach is needed.

The agricultural history of York County and its relation to 1,2,3-TCP detections

The chlorinated solvent 1,2,3-trichloropropane historically was used as a soil fumigant, primarily in agricultural settings. York County’s land use has included agriculture, but the current public water system sources are surface water bodies rather than groundwater wells near agricultural fields. This reduces the likelihood that agricultural TCP residues significantly affect the supplied water. The EPA records for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells system, which combines surface water sources, showed no TCP detections above the reporting limit, reflecting this context.

What happens to the water once the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter is introduced?

When household water equipment that previously addressed contaminants like 1,2,3-trichloropropane fails, direct purchase of the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter can provide a proven method to manage TCP specifically. This equipment ships ready to configure and employs technology targeting chlorinated solvents resistant to simpler treatment methods such as air stripping. With this filter in place, water from the tap can reflect reduced levels of 1,2,3-trichloropropane, helping restore confidence in household water quality where previously existing treatment is no longer functioning.

Understanding maintenance for the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter in everyday terms

The filter requires routine care that can be described in straightforward terms. The treatment media, designed for contact with the chlorinated solvent, needs replacement or replenishment according to usage volume and water quality, typically on a schedule informed by monitoring or manufacturer guidance. Because it ships ready to configure, no external professionals are needed for setup, and ongoing maintenance involves checking operational indicators and swapping components as directed to maintain performance.

Why does the reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP differ so greatly from levels for common metals in water?

The EPA’s reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (0.03 ppb) for 1,2,3-trichloropropane is thousands of times lower than typical reporting thresholds for common metals like lead or iron. This difference arises because chlorinated solvents are generally more potent at lower concentrations, and sensitive analytical methods have been developed to detect trace amounts. The low reporting level does not imply any violation or unsafe condition but reflects the technical capability to measure minute amounts, helping inform risk evaluation and treatment decisions.

How plumbing material and age affect the presence of 1,2,3-TCP in home water independently of the source water

While the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District’s source water records show no detectable 1,2,3-trichloropropane above the reporting level, household plumbing itself does not introduce this chlorinated solvent. However, older plumbing materials and system age can influence other water quality aspects unrelated to TCP, such as corrosion or interaction with different contaminants. Consequently, testing your individual home water remains essential to determine if 1,2,3-TCP or other concerns are present independently from the public supply.

What water test should you consider next?

To understand your household’s specific water quality after equipment failure, order a comprehensive laboratory analysis that includes 1,2,3-trichloropropane testing down to at least 0.03 micrograms per liter. This test result will clarify whether 1,2,3-TCP is present at measurable levels in your well or tap water and whether the purchase of the Autotrol 1,2,3-TCP Filter is warranted as a targeted response.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-11-25. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD (ME0090760), ME: 8 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level