El Paso County Water Delivery and Chromium-6 Origins
The water serving many households in El Paso County, Colorado, primarily comes from surface water sources managed by the Security Water and Sanitation District (WSD). This regional system distributes water through thousands of connections to residents, including households like yours. Government sampling conducted between 2013 and 2015 detected chromium-6—also known as hexavalent chromium or chromium(VI)—in all tested samples, with concentrations ranging from about 0.03 to 0.89 micrograms per liter (µg/L or parts per billion).
Geogenic Chromium-6 in Arid and Alkaline Environments Versus Industrial Sources
Chromium-6 can originate from natural geochemical processes associated with arid and alkaline aquifers, as well as from industrial activities such as metal plating or chemical manufacturing. In El Paso County's surface water system, the detections most likely reflect geogenic sources rather than industrial pollution. This distinction is significant because it informs expectations about the persistence and variability of chromium-6 levels in your water supply.
Oxidation State Changes From Source to Tap
Hexavalent chromium is an oxidized form of chromium that can interconvert with trivalent chromium depending on factors like pH, oxidation-reduction conditions, and contact with materials in the distribution system or household plumbing. Although the Security WSD system reports chromium-6 detections in raw water samples, the chemical form reaching your tap may vary. The form affects both how it behaves in water and which treatment technologies work best.
Interpreting Certified Laboratory Testing for Chromium-6
If you want to know the chromium-6 concentration in your own home’s water, having it tested by an EPA-certified laboratory is essential. These tests report chromium-6 in micrograms per liter (µg/L), with results above detection limits indicating measurable presence but not necessarily a health concern. Understanding your individual water quality differs from community system data; area measurements do not predict exact levels in your well or tap.
Potential Outcomes When Chromium-6 Is Untreated
Long-term consumption of water containing chromium-6 at levels seen in El Paso County is not recorded as a health-based violation and is below any federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total chromium. Still, without treatment, chromium-6 remains present in water, and some households choose to address it as a precaution or for taste and aesthetic reasons. Over time, untreated chromium-6 may persist in tap water, and recognizing if your household desires treatment depends on your water test results and personal preferences.
Why Total Chromium Results Do Not Fully Explain Chromium-6
Water tests often report total chromium, which includes all forms of chromium combined. However, hexavalent chromium differs chemically and in behavior from trivalent chromium (chromium-3). A total chromium result alone cannot specify chromium-6 concentration or inform treatment choices that target this specific form. For effective decision-making, separate testing of chromium-6 is advisable.
What Influences Chromium-6 Concentrations by Source and Depth
Sample depth, well depth, and source type (surface water versus groundwater) impact expected chromium-6 concentrations. Surface water sources like those supplying Security WSD may have different chromium-6 profiles compared to deeper groundwater wells in El Paso County. Understanding your water source helps anticipate what your water test might reveal and which treatment technologies will be suitable.
What El Paso County Data Does Not Confirm About Your Water
Area-level detection of chromium-6 does not establish the concentration in your individual household’s water. It also does not imply any violation of federal health standards or that the water is unsafe. Local data should be viewed as a regional baseline rather than a precise indicator of your water conditions. To address chromium-6 concerns effectively, testing your own water and considering treatment options compatible with those results is prudent.
For households weighing treatment technologies for chromium-6, the C-Series Chromium-6 Filter provides a documented option designed for this purpose. It ships ready to configure for residential use, addressing chromium-6 specifically based on your water testing data and daily demand.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-10-27. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Security WSD (CO0121775), CO: 88 results across 2 listed contaminants, 80 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L