Fleck Chromium-6 Filter

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The UCMR3 Survey: Purpose and Household Limitations

The 2013-2015 Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) provided a nationwide overview of chromium-6 levels in public water systems, including that serving Jones County, Georgia. This EPA-mandated survey collects data to identify contaminants of potential concern but is not intended as a compliance test or a direct measure of any individual household's water quality. For Jones County's community water system serving over 13,000 people, 24 chromium-6 samples were taken, with most detecting hexavalent chromium above the detection threshold of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L), also expressed as parts per billion (ppb).

Oxidation State Changes Across Distribution

Hexavalent chromium's chemical form can shift due to factors such as water chemistry and interaction with pipe materials between the source and the tap. The Jones County system draws from surface waters where chromium-6 is present; however, oxidation states may be altered as water travels through the distribution network and household plumbing. These transformations affect the form and concentration of chromium that finally reaches faucets, making a home's water testing essential for accurate understanding.

Distinguishing Chromium-6 from Other Water Chemistry Issues

Chromium-6 differs chemically and behaviorally from other common water quality constituents often mistaken for chromium contaminants, such as total chromium or general metal ions. Notably, total chromium measurements include multiple chromium species, which can obscure the specific presence of hexavalent chromium — the chromium(VI) form of concern. Distinguishing chromium-6 from total chromium is critical because each has different properties and implications for treatment.

Plumbing Material and Age: Independent Variables

Although source water contains chromium-6, household plumbing materials and their age can influence the water’s overall metal content independently. Older pipes or certain metal fixtures may release metals or affect water chemistry, complicating assessment. This means that chromium-6 levels at the tap could be affected by internal plumbing conditions separate from the community water supply data.

Measured Ranges Versus Federal Standards

The Jones County water system’s chromium-6 results ranged from below the reporting limit to a high of 0.394 µg/L, with a median detected concentration of 0.1255 µg/L. Importantly, no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) exists specifically for hexavalent chromium; however, the total chromium MCL is set at 100 µg/L. These findings indicate that chromium-6 concentrations in the system remain well below regulatory thresholds established for total chromium, confirming no recorded health-based violations for chromium in the Jones County system.

Treated Water at the Tap with Fleck Chromium-6 Filter

For households weighing treatment approaches, the Fleck Chromium-6 Filter provides a documented option for reducing chromium(VI) concentrations at the tap. This Fleck technology operates by targeting hexavalent chromium chemically, altering its presence in residential water before consumption. When in use, treated water shows lower chromium-6 levels, helping to manage concerns distinct from other water quality factors or plumbing-related metals.

To determine the precise water quality at an individual residence, including the exact chromium-6 level, homeowners should obtain a certified water test from their tap. This testing clarifies what treatment needs exist beyond system-wide data that characterize the supply but not variations introduced by distribution and household plumbing.

In summary, Jones County’s community water system data from the EPA’s UCMR3 highlights the detection of chromium-6 in surface source water without health-based violations, confirming regulatory compliance. This information frames local water quality but does not replace specific household water analysis. For more details, consult the EPA’s public water system records covering the Jones County water supply.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-11-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Jones County (GA1690002), GA: 48 results across 2 listed contaminants, 26 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L