Managing VOCs in El Paso County Water: Seasonal and System Considerations

The Colorado Springs Utilities system, serving El Paso County, CO, has no EPA health-based violations for water quality, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to federal monitoring from 2013 to 2015. Detections for 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, and MTBE were below reporting levels, indicating very low or non-detect presence across this large surface-water source system.

If seasonal water-table changes affect your well

Seasonal fluctuations in groundwater levels can influence where volatile organic solvent plumes concentrate relative to your well screen. Rising water tables can submerge portions of the plume, while drops may expose it to different parts of the formation. This movement can cause episodic increases or decreases in VOC concentrations entering your home supply, complicating treatment needs over time.

If considering granular activated carbon filter sizing

A treatment bed removing VOCs typically relies on contact time, not just flow rate. Adequate time allows the activated carbon to adsorb solvent compounds effectively. Systems that only match flow without ensuring sufficient contact risk breakthrough of VOCs. For a household using more treated water or with intermittent demand patterns, carbon bed size and configuration must meet these conditions for reliable performance.

If preparing to discuss treatment options

Before seeking any water treatment advice, record your household water usage patterns, current system capacity, any measured VOC levels, and plumbing materials and age. This information clarifies whether existing equipment falls short due to volume, contact time, or other factors, and supports targeted solutions.

If your plumbing’s material or age might influence VOC presence

Plumbing components themselves do not generate VOCs but can affect water chemistry and VOC interactions. Older plastic or rubber parts may absorb or leach certain compounds differently than newer materials. Understanding your home's plumbing history helps distinguish source water VOCs from plumbing-related effects and guides treatment choices accordingly.

If using the documented Autotrol treatment technology

The Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter uses a granular activated carbon bed sized for proper contact time, removing or neutralizing volatile organic compounds effectively. It ships ready to configure for your household water system. This product addresses challenges when existing equipment cannot keep pace with household VOC removal demands.

If managing water for larger or seasonal households

Homes with higher occupancy or seasonal occupancy changes require treatment systems scaled for increased flow and varying contact times. Second homes or seasonal properties might experience VOC concentration fluctuations due to water stagnation or different usage patterns, affecting treatment planning. Adjustments to system size or maintenance schedules may be necessary for consistent VOC reduction.

Sampling data from Colorado Springs Utilities in El Paso County reports no health-based VOC violations but indicates very low-level solvent compounds typical of large surface-water systems. For current and personal water VOC levels, individual testing remains essential. The EPA’s public system record is the source of this data and further information.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-05-12. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Colorado Springs Utilities (CO0121150), CO: 124 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level