Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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First Impressions at Your Tap in Oswego

If you've noticed concerns about 1,2,3-trichloropropane, or TCP, you are not alone. Residents drawing water from the Oswego public water system, sourced from groundwater, might wonder what the presence of TCP means in everyday use. This chlorinated solvent is historically linked to soil fumigation and industrial use, and it sometimes appears in groundwater during environmental monitoring. Yet, what you taste or see at your fixtures may not clearly indicate its presence or level.

How California's 5 ng/L State Limit Compares with the Absence of a Federal MCL

Unlike California, which has set a stringent advisory level of 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or 0.005 parts per billion (ppb) for 1,2,3-TCP, the federal government has yet to establish a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for this compound. The lack of a federal MCL means that no enforceable standard currently exists nationwide to regulate TCP concentrations in drinking water. In Oswego's public water system record, monitoring under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) found no detections above the reporting level. This absence shows compliance with federal regulations but does not equate to meeting California's more conservative guideline.

Why the Reporting Level for This Solvent Is Thousands of Times Lower Than for Common Metals

The reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP in the data is 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to 30 parts per trillion or 0.03 parts per billion. This sensitivity is significantly higher than typical detection levels for common metals like lead or iron. The reason lies in TCP’s chemical nature and toxicity profile, necessitating very low detection thresholds to identify even trace amounts. By contrast, metals often have reporting limits several orders of magnitude higher because their harmful effects arise at higher concentrations.

What the Measured Range Means Against the Relevant Federal Standard, and What It Does Not Mean

Between July 2013 and January 2014, Oswego's public water system was monitored 16 times for 1,2,3-TCP, and none of those samples showed levels above the 0.03 µg/L reporting level. This monitoring result reflects that detected TCP was below the analytical limit of quantification, not necessarily absent entirely. Since there is no federal maximum contaminant level established for TCP, these findings do not indicate a violation or safety concern under federal law. Instead, they provide a snapshot suggesting that the public water system’s groundwater source has very low or undetectable TCP levels during that period.

How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record (Dates and Ranges Given)

The sampling window from mid-2013 to early 2014 provides a limited but valuable view of TCP presence over approximately six months. No detections above the reporting level in multiple samples indicate stable conditions during that timeframe. However, longer-term or seasonal fluctuations in TCP concentrations can occur due to groundwater changes, historical chemical use, or environmental factors. Continued monitoring beyond the reported period would be necessary to understand temporal variability better.

Which Fixtures, Appliances or Processes Are Affected First and Why

The presence of extremely low levels of 1,2,3-trichloropropane, if any, is most likely to impact processes involving water consumption or contact, such as drinking, cooking, and ice making. TCP is a volatile organic compound and may not be noticeable by taste or odor at trace levels. Appliances like water dispensers or coffee makers rely on treated water and would be exposed to the same water quality as household taps. Since TCP is a chlorinated solvent, concerns about it often relate to long-term exposure rather than immediate sensory detection.

What Changes for a Large Household, a Second Home, or a Seasonal Property

Larger households may use more water and thus could have higher cumulative exposure over time if TCP were present at elevated levels. A second home or seasonal property may have variable water quality due to intermittent use or differences in private well sources compared to the municipal supply. Homeowners in these scenarios should consider testing their specific water source if they have concerns, as government system data reflect averages and ranges across many connections rather than any single property’s water.

Conclusions About Area Data and Your Household Water

Oswego's public water system monitoring has not detected 1,2,3-TCP above the 0.03 µg/L reporting threshold during the 2013–2014 sampling period. While this suggests very low levels at the system scale, individual household water quality requires specific testing to confirm TCP concentrations. Area data should not be interpreted as an exact measure of your home's water. For households interested in managing potential 1,2,3-trichloropropane presence regardless of measured levels, equipment such as the Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure and is documented to address this chlorinated solvent effectively.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-01-14. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Oswego (IL0930150), IL: 16 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level