The City of Westminster’s public water system in Carroll County, MD, serves over 35,000 people. Government sampling during 2013-2015 detected chromium-6 in all tested samples, with levels measured between 0.03 and 3.8 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or parts per billion (ppb). This data represents the system-wide water quality, not individual household water. Understanding this regional occurrence is the first step in making informed decisions about home water treatment.
If you expect total chromium measurements to explain chromium-6 levels:
Total chromium concentrations in the same Carroll County system ranged up to 3.7 µg/L, including trivalent chromium (chromium III) and hexavalent chromium (chromium VI or chromium-6). Because total chromium combines these forms, it cannot specify the chromium-6 portion, which has different chemical behavior and regulatory attention. Knowing total chromium alone does not address chromium-6 concerns precisely.
If you want to understand what 'detected', 'median', and 'range' values mean in the sampling record:
- Detected: Indicates an instrument measured chromium-6 above the lowest reporting level of 0.03 µg/L, confirming presence but not implying a safety issue.
- Median: The middle value of detected chromium-6 concentrations, 0.425 µg/L, shows typical levels but does not predict any single sample.
- Range: Spanning from the reporting limit to 3.8 µg/L, it shows variability in the system at the time but not in individual homes.
This data reflects a federal occurrence survey (UCMR3), designed to gather broad information rather than establish compliance or identify safety concerns.
If you want to know the purpose and limits of the UCMR3 chromium-6 survey for your home:
The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) monitors contaminants not yet subject to federal regulations, such as chromium-6, across large public water systems. The survey helps the Environmental Protection Agency understand regional patterns but does not assess individual household water. Homeowners should have their water tested specifically for chromium-6 to know their own exposure.
If you notice certain fixtures or appliances have problems first related to chromium-6:
Hexavalent chromium can affect water taste and contribute to staining due to its chemical properties. Fixtures exposed to higher water use or sensitive materials might show signs earlier. Addressing chromium-6 at the point of entry or use can help maintain water quality in appliances and plumbing.
If you are curious about how chromium-6 enters water in Carroll County’s system:
Chromium-6 primarily comes from surface water sources, influenced by natural occurrences and human activities. Its presence in Carroll County’s treated water reflects what was measured after source water treatment. Distribution systems and treatment processes can also influence chromium speciation and concentration before the water reaches homes.
Government monitoring data for the City of Westminster’s water system in Carroll County, MD, provide a snapshot of chromium-6 presence in public water from 2013 to 2015. This information helps to understand regional water quality trends but cannot indicate the exact chromium-6 level in any home’s water without specific testing. For households facing challenges with existing equipment keeping pace, selective water treatment technology, such as the Pentek Chromium-6 Filter, ships ready to configure and is designed to address chromium-6 concerns effectively.
For detailed government water quality data, visit the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-08-07. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of Westminster (MD0060015), MD: 40 results across 2 listed contaminants, 39 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L
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