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Difference Between UCMR3 Detection and State Notification Levels for Dioxane

The federal Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) collects data on water constituents like 1,4-dioxane without setting enforceable limits. For Middleborough’s public water system, no samples exceeded the federal reporting level of 0.07 micrograms per liter (µg/L). This means no measurement surpassed this detection threshold during the survey period from 2014-02-19 to 2014-08-28.

State notification levels, which can differ, are advisory triggers for states to assess potential water quality concerns and consider public communication or response. However, Middleborough’s records from this monitoring cycle show no detections above the reporting level to prompt such notifications for 1,4-dioxane. Understanding this distinction helps clarify that federal detection data records presence or absence above a low threshold but does not imply regulatory or health action is required.

Why Low-Level Detections Are Reported to Three Decimal Places and What Precision Means Here

Lab analyses for dioxane express results to three decimal places to reflect the analytical method's precision—measuring concentration in micrograms per liter (parts per billion). This precision does not indicate a health risk level but rather the sensitivity of equipment to quantify minute quantities of cyclic ether in water.

For example, a result reported as 0.070 µg/L is at the federal reporting limit, meaning the lab can confirm whether levels are above or below this benchmark. Such exact reporting assists scientists and regulators in trend analysis but does not translate to a direct safety or violation notification for an individual household.

What a Certified Laboratory Test for 1,4-Dioxane Reports and How to Read It

A certified lab test for 1,4-dioxane in household water will provide a numerical concentration in micrograms per liter and specify the reporting limit - the smallest reliably measured value. Results below this limit are typically reported as nondetect or below detection limit, indicating the compound was not measurable with current equipment sensitivity.

Interpreting a lab report requires noting whether the value is a nondetect, at the detection limit, or an actual measured concentration. The cyclic ether’s presence in small traces does not alone indicate a problem but informs if further monitoring or treatment evaluation is warranted by a homeowner.

How Many Samples and Wells Stand Behind the Figures, and What a Small Sample Means

The Middleborough public water system data is based on 21 samples collected from groundwater sources supplying approximately 15,350 people via 6,281 connections. While this provides a snapshot of the system's water quality, it aggregates results from multiple wells over several months rather than individual points.

A modest sample size helps characterize conditions at the system level but cannot confirm the exact concentration at a single household tap. Variability in water sources, seasonal changes, and plumbing influence individual water quality. Homeowners concerned with 1,4-dioxane should consider direct well or tap testing to understand their specific water composition.

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

The federal government has not established a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for 1,4-dioxane, but it provides a cancer risk reference concentration of 0.35 µg/L. Middleborough’s system reported no samples above the reporting threshold of 0.07 µg/L, well below this advisory reference, indicating very low presence during sampling.

This measured range reflects only the detected concentration during the monitoring period and does not confirm absence at all times or locations. It also does not equate to a safety violation or mandatory action. Instead, it offers a data point for understanding local water quality in relation to federal health guidelines.

Homeowners evaluating their exposure to the solvent stabiliser should consider testing their specific water source to make informed decisions about treatment options.

To address potential 1,4-dioxane presence, the Pentair 1,4-Dioxane Filter offers a treatment option that ships ready to configure for household use.

In summary, Middleborough’s water system data shows no detections above federal reporting limits for 1,4-dioxane, indicating low measured levels during the survey. Homeowners concerned about their household water quality should seek specific testing since system-wide data provides a general overview but not household specifics.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-08-28. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Middleborough Water Supply (MA4182000), MA: 21 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level