Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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Why Volatility Matters: Showering, Dishwashing and Inhalation Routes Versus Drinking

VOCs Enter Indoor Air During Water Use

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also known as volatile organics or solvent compounds, can evaporate from water during household activities such as showering and dishwashing. This evaporation introduces these compounds into indoor air, where inhalation becomes a potential exposure pathway alongside direct ingestion through drinking water.

Multiple Routes of Exposure

While drinking water ingestion is a primary concern, inhalation and skin contact during water use are important routes by which VOCs may affect residents. Shower steam and aerosolized water from faucets can carry low levels of these compounds into the home environment.

Why a Granular Activated Carbon Bed Is Sized for Contact Time Rather Than Flow Alone

Effective VOC Removal Depends on Contact Time

Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration systems rely on sufficient contact time between water and carbon media to adsorb VOCs effectively. A system designed to prioritize contact time over simply flow rate ensures organic solvents are more thoroughly removed from the water before reaching household taps.

Balancing Flow Rate and Media Volume

While higher flow rates can reduce treatment duration, they can also limit GAC’s ability to capture volatile organics. Proper sizing addresses this by optimizing the balance to maximize solvent removal.

What a Laboratory's Method Detection Limit Means When a Compound Is 'Not Detected'

Understanding Detection Limits in EPA Monitoring

Federal monitoring under EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR3) in Cleveland County’s Hwy. 63 Water Association found no VOC detections above method reporting levels. These detection limits are the smallest concentrations reliably measured by laboratory instruments.

'Not Detected' Does Not Mean 'Absent'

A 'not detected' result indicates compounds were not found at or above these limits, not necessarily that the compound is completely absent. Actual VOC concentrations may be below detection capabilities.

How to Compare This Area’s Record With a Neighboring County’s Without Overreading It

Data Are System-Specific, Not Individual Household Results

The EPA data reflect public water system-wide monitoring for the Hwy. 63 Water Association in Cleveland County, serving over 7000 people. Variations in groundwater sources and treatment in neighboring counties mean direct comparison must be cautious and not used to infer individual home water quality.

Detections Are Measurements, Not Compliance Failures

While two health-based violations exist for this water system, none involve VOCs detected by UCMR3 from 2013–2015. A detection above the reporting level in such surveys is a measured presence, not a legal violation or safety issue.

How the Treated Water Differs at the Tap Once the Documented Technology Is in Place

Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter Reduces Solvent Compounds

The Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter uses a granular activated carbon bed designed specifically to interact with volatile organics, reducing their concentrations in household water. This filtration technology ships ready to configure for residential water systems.

Improved Water Quality Across Multiple Exposure Routes

By lowering VOC levels, the treated water reduces inhalation and ingestion exposure to solvent compounds during daily household water use.

What You Should NOT Conclude From Area Data

EPA monitoring results represent aggregated system data and do not reveal your household’s individual water quality. The absence of detections above reporting levels in the public water system does not guarantee your well or tap water shares the same characteristics. Testing your own water with certified laboratories is necessary to understand your specific VOC concentrations.

Also, detections during federal occurrence surveys are measurements, not violations or indications of unsafe water. Finally, the presence of VOCs below regulatory health limits does not imply a health concern, but filtration like the Autotrol System can provide additional peace of mind.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-08-19. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Hwy. 63 Water Association (AR0000107), AR: 60 results across 6 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level