Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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How Gasoline Releases Differ from Dry-Cleaning Releases in Groundwater Residues

Gasoline spills and dry-cleaning solvent releases contribute distinct mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to groundwater. Gasoline releases typically introduce compounds like methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a VOC monitored in public water but not exclusive to these sources. Dry-cleaning solvents may contain other VOCs such as perchloroethylene, which differ chemically and behaviorally. For households in GU served by the GWA Central Water System, understanding which VOCs historically appear in the area’s water sources helps tailor treatment decisions.

Interpreting 'Not Detected' in Laboratory VOC Analyses

When a compound like MTBE is reported as 'not detected' in public system monitoring, it means the concentration is below the laboratory’s method detection limit (5.0 micrograms per liter or parts per billion for MTBE in the GU system's data). This detection limit does not confirm the absence of the compound but indicates it is below the level the test can reliably measure. Hence, 'not detected' should not be equated with zero or safe, but rather as an unknown below the threshold.

Potential Long-Term Effects of Untreated Volatile Organic Compounds in Water

Over years, VOCs in water, even at low levels, can cause aesthetic problems such as taste or odor issues and may affect plumbing materials if concentrations are higher, though the GU system’s public record shows no health-based violations. Untreated solvent compounds rarely pose immediate health risks at the reported concentrations but can degrade water quality over time. Households relying on untreated VOC-affected water might notice gradual changes in the water's sensory qualities or stain formation.

Additional Questions for Commercial and Industrial Water Users

Unlike residential households, commercial or industrial users often require more detailed VOC profiling due to process sensitivities or regulatory demands. They may measure a broader spectrum of solvent compounds and require data on peak concentrations and flow rates. Residential users generally focus on consistent daily demand and typical VOC levels found in public water source records, such as those reported for the GWA Central Water System.

Distinguishing Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health-Based Limits

Government monitoring distinguishes health-based maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) from secondary standards addressing taste, staining, and corrosion. The GWA Central Water System shows zero health-based violations for VOCs like MTBE, indicating compliance with safety thresholds. Secondary standards, while not health limits, guide treatment decisions to improve water palatability and protect household plumbing from solvent-related corrosion or discoloration.

Recommended VOC Testing to Confirm Household Water Quality

For households weighing treatment options, the definitive step is ordering a comprehensive VOC laboratory analysis of their own water supply. This test should quantify individual volatile organic solvents at detection limits matching or surpassing those used in government surveys. Results showing concentrations below health-based MCLs would confirm that VOC levels pose no known health risk. Where VOCs are detected at measurable levels, a system like the Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter can address the presence of solvent compounds effectively, shipping ready to configure for residential needs.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2004-12-19. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for GWA CENTRAL WATER SYSTEM (GU0000003), GU: 10 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level