The Long Island American Water Corporation's public water system serving Hempstead (T), Lynbrook (V), Nassau County provides groundwater-sourced water to about 220,000 people. Federal monitoring from 2013 to 2015 reports detections of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including chloromethane, bromomethane, and HCFC-22 among others, with no contaminant level exceeding federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or health-based limits.
Why Volatility Matters: Exposure Beyond Drinking
Showering and VOCs Release
Volatile organic compounds can evaporate when heated water is used, leading to inhalation exposure during showers or baths.
Dishwashing and Indoor Air
Hot water during dishwashing may release VOCs into indoor air, increasing exposure through breathing.
Inhalation versus Ingestion
Unlike many contaminants, volatile organics pose potential risk from inhalation in addition to consumption, making removal technologies that address both routes important.
Sample Size and Data Scope
Number of VOC Samples Taken
The system’s data includes 42 to 60 samples per individual VOC over several years, providing a moderate data set for assessing typical groundwater VOC presence.
System-Wide Monitoring
Samples represent the public water system broadly and are not specific to any single household’s water quality or plumbing.
Implications of Sample Size
A limited number of detections in samples means individual household VOC levels could vary and require specific testing for confirmation.
How Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter Works
Designed for VOC Reduction
The Fleck System targets volatile organics and industrial chemicals, reducing concentrations through specialized filtration media and treatment stages.
Addressing Multiple VOCs
Its filtration process is effective against chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, and similar solvent compounds detected in the area’s water supply.
Ready to Configure for Home Use
The equipment ships ready to configure for residential water lines, supporting households whose current equipment cannot keep pace with VOC levels.
Interpreting Median and Range from the Record
Understanding Median Detection
For chloromethane, detected results show median levels around 0.8 micrograms per liter (ppb), indicating typical concentrations when detected.
Range of Detected Values
Highest observed chloromethane was 0.8 micrograms per liter, with HCFC-22 detected up to 0.44 micrograms per liter; these levels are reported values, not health limits.
What This Means for Homeowners
Homeowners may find these figures useful to compare with their own water testing but should not assume identical results without specific testing of their well or tap water.
Distinguishing VOCs from Other Common Water Issues
VOCs versus Non-Volatile Organics
Volatile organics evaporate and can affect air quality indoors, unlike heavier organics which remain in water without vaporizing significantly.
Industrial Chemicals Versus Natural Minerals
VOCs stem from solvents and industrial sources, differing from natural mineral content that affects hardness or taste.
Not a Corrosion or Aesthetic Issue Alone
Unlike chloride or dissolved solids, VOC presence does not by itself affect taste or cause staining but relates to chemical exposure through inhalation and ingestion.
What Area Data Does Not Establish
The federal monitoring data for Hempstead and Lynbrook describe the public water system’s groundwater supply and not any individual household’s water quality. Detection of VOCs in the system records does not indicate unsafe water or require remedial action without a specific test of the home’s own water supply. Homeowners concerned with VOCs should obtain direct testing of their water to determine actual concentrations before considering treatment options such as the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-14. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Long Island American Water Corporation (NY2902835), NY: 312 results across 7 listed contaminants, 6 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs