Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter

Buy Now

View full details

If You Observe Taste or Odor Issues, It Might Not Be 1,2,3-TCP

Many may confuse bad taste or strange odors in water with the presence of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP). However, TCP is a chlorinated solvent that is generally colorless, odorless, and tasteless at levels found in Enterprise’s public water system. According to EPA monitoring data from 2013 to 2015, no 1,2,3-TCP was detected above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (parts per billion) in the Enterprise Waterworks system, which serves about 48,000 people. This does not mean your own water supply has exactly zero TCP—only testing your well or tap water can determine that.

If You Observe Treatment Concerns Related to TCP, Consider Granular Activated Carbon Contact Time

When addressing chlorinated solvents like 1,2,3-trichloropropane, the depth of the granular activated carbon bed matters significantly. Unlike treatments designed purely for taste or odor, TCP requires longer contact time with carbon to effectively reduce its presence. Bed depth and flow rate influence this contact time, meaning a properly sized carbon filter bed is essential if TCP is a concern. Shallow carbon beds intended mainly to address aesthetic issues can be insufficient for chlorinated solvents.

If You Observe Local Agricultural Activity, Note Its Relation to 1,2,3-TCP Occurrences

Coffee County, including Enterprise, has a history of agricultural land use where fumigants and other chemical applications could have introduced chlorinated solvents into groundwater. TCP is sometimes found as a degradation byproduct of such pesticides or as a contaminant from industrial sources. The historical land-use patterns help explain why federal monitoring includes TCP in this region's sampling protocol. Nevertheless, the absence of detectable TCP in Enterprise’s public water groundwater sources indicates these impacts have not measurably affected the municipal supply at reportable levels.

If You Observe Household Water Use, Evaluate Treatment Capacity Against Demand

For households considering treatment equipment that targets TCP, it is important to compare the potential filter capacity to the daily water demand. Filters designed for 1,2,3-trichloropropane must maintain sufficient carbon contact time even at peak flow rates used in typical home water systems. An undersized filter may allow TCP to pass through untreated during high water use. Therefore, knowing your household’s water consumption patterns helps to select equipment that can keep up without compromising treatment performance.

If You Observe a Need for Treatment Advice, Prepare Key Information First

Before seeking treatment guidance, list important details: the source of your water (well or municipal), any recent water quality test results you have—especially those measuring TCP concentrations—and your typical daily water usage. Also note any symptoms or issues observed in the water that prompted concern. This information helps clarify whether a chlorinated solvent like 1,2,3-trichloropropane might be present and what level of treatment is appropriate.

If You Observe Untreated Chlorinated Solvent Presence Over Years, Understand Potential Long-Term Effects

While Enterprise Waterworks records show no measurable TCP detections above reporting levels in municipal water, private sources elsewhere might contain this chlorinated solvent. Long-term exposure to chlorinated solvents at elevated levels can lead to water quality degradation and potential health concerns; however, without a confirmed test result, assumptions cannot be made. It is prudent for users with private wells to test for TCP to understand their situation. Treatment options that address TCP can help maintain water quality over time if levels are found.

In summary, this page showed how Enterprise Waterworks public water sampling found no TCP above detection limits, emphasized the importance of granular activated carbon contact time for TCP treatment, connected regional agricultural history to the monitoring of this chlorinated solvent, advised on matching treatment capacity to household water use, and explained what information to gather before pursuing treatment. Households detecting potential TCP concerns should consider a careful testing and treatment approach, including evaluating equipment such as the Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which ships ready to configure for residential use.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-03-09. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Enterprise Waterworks (AL0000296), AL: 34 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level