Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can easily evaporate into the air from water during activities such as showering, dishwashing, and cooking. This volatility means that exposure to certain solvent compounds is not limited to ingestion through drinking water but can also occur via inhalation and skin contact. For homeowners in Des Moines, IA, understanding that VOCs can enter the body through multiple pathways is essential to addressing potential concerns beyond what tap water tests alone reveal.

How Seasonal Water-Table Changes Move a Solvent Plume Relative to a Well Screen

Seasonal variations in groundwater levels can shift the position of solvent plumes—areas where VOCs may concentrate—relative to the depth of a well screen. This movement can influence the concentrations of volatile organics found in a household’s water supply. While Des Moines Waterworks relies on surface water sources and not wells, residential groundwater users should be aware that solvent plume positions are dynamic and can affect VOC presence over time.

What Happens When This Problem Is Left Untreated for Years, Stated Without Exaggeration

If VOCs persist untreated in household water, homeowners might notice issues such as unusual tastes or odors, although these are not guarantees of unsafe water. Persistent VOC presence could increase exposure through inhalation and dermal routes during routine household water use. Over the years, unnoticed exposure might add to cumulative chemical intake. However, no federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) were exceeded in Des Moines Waterworks monitoring, and the region’s surface water records do not indicate unsafe VOC levels overall. Individual home testing is key to identifying specific conditions.

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

Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters reduce VOCs by adsorbing solvent compounds onto carbon surfaces. The effectiveness of this process depends primarily on the contact time—the duration water remains in contact with the carbon—rather than the flow rate alone. Sufficient contact time ensures that VOC molecules can bind to the media, improving removal efficiency. Systems designed with this principle in mind provide better treatment of volatile organics in household water supplies.

What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page

The EPA’s monitoring in Des Moines Waterworks from 2013 to 2015 found no detections above laboratory reporting levels for several VOCs, including 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, and MTBE. Here, 'detected' means an instrument measured a compound at or above a very low threshold; not detected means levels were below that threshold. The median and range describe the distribution of measurements across samples, providing context about how frequently and at what levels VOCs appear in the system’s water. Importantly, these detections do not signify violations or indicate unsafe water by federal standards.

In Polk County’s Des Moines Waterworks system, no VOCs listed were found at levels exceeding federal MCLs. Still, because individual household water can differ, further evaluation is warranted.

Next Steps: The Single Test to Order and What Result Would Settle the Question

Given your household’s equipment challenges and concerns about VOCs, the recommended step is to obtain a comprehensive VOC analysis from a certified laboratory for your specific water supply. This test should identify the presence and concentrations of volatile organic compounds, including those monitored by the EPA. A result showing levels below federal health-based standards would indicate that VOCs are not a concern for your home’s water. If VOCs are detected at concerning concentrations, targeted treatment options, such as the Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter, ship ready to configure and use granular activated carbon technology designed specifically to reduce volatile organics effectively.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-04-01. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Des Moines Waterworks (IA7727031), IA: 80 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level