This week, your decision is whether your household water treatment should include consideration for 1,2,3-trichloropropane, also known as 1,2,3-TCP, a chlorinated solvent sometimes found in water sources. Given the data reported for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District system serving York County, understanding what the local measurements mean can guide your choice of treatment class.
How California's 5 ng/L State Limit Compares with the Absence of a Federal MCL
The EPA monitors 1,2,3-TCP under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule but currently has no federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set for this chemical. The Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District, which serves over 35,000 people in York County, reported zero detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting threshold of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or 30 parts per trillion from 2013 to 2015.
In contrast, California has established a state limit for 1,2,3-TCP at 5 nanograms per liter, or 0.005 µg/L, a much lower threshold than the federal reporting level. This difference reflects California's more conservative approach but does not indicate a federal safety violation or issue in the water district’s surface water sources.
How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record (Dates and Ranges Given)
The monitoring spanned over a year from September 2013 to November 2014, obtaining eight measurements for this chlorinated solvent. All samples were below the reporting threshold, suggesting consistent non-detectable levels over multiple seasons. This data does not indicate seasonal spikes or trending upward concentrations during the monitoring period.
How the Treated Water Differs at the Tap Once the Documented Technology Is in Place
Using a Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter, designed to address this chlorinated solvent, modifies treated water quality by targeting TCP molecules specifically. The filter operates by a process proven to reduce chlorinated solvents to levels below detection limits, providing an additional layer of protection should TCP be present in your well or tap water above your personal comfort level.
The treated water’s taste and appearance remain unaffected, as this filtering technology focuses strictly on chemical removal without introducing minerals or altering hardness.
A Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range as a Homeowner Would
Though the water system's record shows no detectable presence of 1,2,3-TCP above 0.03 µg/L, imagine a home test reports 0.02 µg/L. This value is below the federal reporting level and therefore comparable to the system’s historic results. It does not represent a violation or unsafe level but shows a measurable presence.
Because federal rules rely on detection limits and reporting levels rather than enforceable limits, homeowners may choose treatment based on personal risk tolerance or specific health guidance rather than regulatory requirement.
What a Certified Laboratory Test for This Constituent Reports and How to Read It
A certified lab test for 1,2,3-trichloropropane measures concentration in micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). The lab report will specify whether the concentration is above the detection limit, here at 0.03 µg/L. A result below this threshold means the chemical was not detected, while any number above it indicates measurable 1,2,3-TCP presence, though not a regulatory violation.
Interpreting your home’s specific 1,2,3-TCP level is essential before deciding on treatment complexity. Your test results, combined with knowledge of regional water quality, help determine if a simple or advanced treatment class is justified.
Concluding, the single test you should order is a certified laboratory analysis for 1,2,3-TCP on your household water. If the reported result is below 0.03 µg/L, aligning with the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD monitoring data, advanced treatment may not be necessary. If higher, considering the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter offers a direct solution tailored to this chemical's presence.
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