Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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Laboratory Report Basics for 1,2,3-TCP in South Bend Waterworks

Typical laboratory reports list 1,2,3-trichloropropane in micrograms per litre (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb)

For the South Bend Waterworks municipal system, federal monitoring from 2013 to 2015 reported no detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting level of 0.03 µg/L (0.03 ppb). This means none of the samples tested by the EPA or associated agents found measurable 1,2,3-TCP at or above that threshold during the survey period.

Agricultural Land-Use History and 1,2,3-TCP Detection Mapping

Mid-20th century agricultural practices contributed to historical TCP presence in groundwater

South Bend and wider St. Joseph County groundwater sources reflect past agricultural applications, particularly soil fumigants used in crop production where 1,2,3-trichloropropane was a known impurity. These chemicals can persist and migrate into groundwater systems over decades, making historical land use relevant to current water quality.

Regional sampling mapping aligns TCP occurrences with prior farming zones

Sampling data from broad surveys show that 1,2,3-TCP detections often correspond to areas with past intensive soil fumigation but do not automatically indicate individual well conditions.

Granular Activated Carbon Contact Time: Impact on TCP Treatment

Longer contact time in carbon beds is essential for effective chlorinated solvent interaction

Unlike taste or odor compounds, TCP requires deeper granular activated carbon (GAC) beds or longer contact times within the carbon media to interact adequately and reduce its concentration in water. Bed depth and flow rate, therefore, are more critical for TCP than for simple aesthetic issues.

TCP's chemical properties demand targeted filtration settings

The chlorinated nature of 1,2,3-TCP means standard filtration optimized for common contaminants may not be sufficient; a specific configuration addressing contact duration with GAC is advisable.

Distinguishing 1,2,3-TCP from Similar Water Problems

TCP is not a metal or commonly detected disinfection byproduct

Common water quality issues like manganese, iron, or trihalomethanes have different sources and treatment needs than 1,2,3-trichloropropane. TCP is a synthetic chlorinated solvent impurity historically linked to fumigants, not naturally occurring minerals or water treatment residues.

Testing focus for TCP differs from that of microbial or turbidity concerns

Unlike bacteria or sediment, TCP presence is identified through specialized organic chemical analysis, requiring laboratory methods capable of detecting trace organics at sub-parts per billion levels.

Sample Size and Data Representation in Regional TCP Monitoring

18 samples were taken from the South Bend public water system during the 2013-2015 federal survey

This sample count reflects a systematic effort to characterize community water but is limited to the municipal source network and does not cover private wells or household plumbing variations.

Small sample sizes limit precision but establish general regional conditions

While individual household levels may vary, these samples support the understanding that 1,2,3-TCP was not detected at or above 0.03 µg/L in the municipal supply during this period.

Reading the Record: Median and Range Example for TCP

The official record shows zero detections out of 18 samples for 1,2,3-TCP

For a homeowner, this indicates that the median concentration is below the reporting level, with all samples under 0.03 µg/L. This suggests TCP presence, if any, is extremely low or undetectable with current federal monitoring methods.

Understanding what this means for personal water quality

Individual water testing is necessary to confirm your household's specific 1,2,3-trichloropropane levels, as municipal results reflect system-wide conditions, not point-of-use concentrations.

Summary and Next Steps

The South Bend Waterworks public system, serving approximately 115,000 people through 46,000 connections in St. Joseph County, Indiana, had no recorded detections of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above the 0.03 µg/L reporting level in federal monitoring from 2013 to 2015. This data stems from a federal occurrence survey focused on the community water system's groundwater source, providing a system-wide snapshot rather than household-specific results.

To determine 1,2,3-TCP levels in your home water, an individual laboratory test for 1,2,3-trichloropropane at sensitivities of 0.03 µg/L or lower is recommended. Should elevated levels be found, configuring a Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which employs specialized granular activated carbon designed for effective contact time with the chlorinated solvent, can address your household concerns.

For further details, the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) database contains up-to-date public water system records for South Bend Waterworks.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-04-02. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for South Bend Waterworks (IN5271014), IN: 18 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level