Understanding VOCs in Adams County Water: Analysis of Hastings Public System Records

1. Reading the Reported Median and Range for VOCs in Hastings Water

HCFC-22 was detected in 2 of 36 samples, with median detected concentration of approximately 1.97 µg/L and highest at 2.98 µg/L

No 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, or MTBE were detected above reporting levels during EPA's UCMR3 monitoring

All VOC detections recorded fall below any federal maximum contaminant levels, indicating no regulatory health-based exceedances in the system

2. Household Symptoms Potentially Related to VOCs and What They Don’t Indicate

Symptoms such as unusual taste or slight chemical odors might be noticed but do not confirm VOC presence without testing

Common household issues like staining or corrosion are not directly linked to the VOCs listed in the Hastings system record

Presence of VOCs unrelated to the recorded low-level detections may require specific water testing at the property

3. Differences Between Public Water System Records and Private Well Water Testing

Hastings public water data represents combined groundwater sources serving over 24,900 people, not individual home water quality

Private wells may experience different VOC levels due to local geology, usage, and contamination sources not reflected in the public system data

Only laboratory testing of your household water can determine your specific VOC concentrations

4. Meaning of “Detected,” “Median,” and “Range” in the Hastings Sampling Data

“Detected” means the chemical was measured above the instrument's reporting level during sampling; it is not a health violation or safety indicator

“Median” describes the middle value of all detected concentrations, showing typical levels where present

“Range” indicates the lowest to highest detected concentration, revealing variability within the samples

5. Fixtures and Processes Most Sensitive to VOC Presence in Residential Settings

Water used for drinking and cooking is the primary concern for VOC exposure, as these chemicals can be ingested

Appliances with water heating may release VOCs as gases, though this depends on concentration and chemical type

Showers and baths expose skin and lungs to water vapor but VOC absorption varies greatly with chemical and levels present

The data presented here summarizes the City of Hastings public water system's monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule Phase 3 (2013-2015). It represents the collective groundwater supply for approximately 24,927 residents and 10,023 connections in Adams County, Nebraska. For specific household VOC levels, individual water testing is necessary. The Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure and is documented to reduce a range of VOCs and industrial chemicals commonly found in groundwater sources as represented in this system.

Source: EPA SDWIS Public Water System Record for City of Hastings (NE3100101)

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-11-19. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of Hastings (NE3100101), NE: 266 results across 7 listed contaminants, 2 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs