This week, Garland County households considering treatment for 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) face the key decision: which type and level of treatment is necessary for their water?
If you know that your water source resembles Garland's public water system record
Hot Springs Utilities, serving over 75,000 people in Garland County with surface water, has undergone federal monitoring for unregulated contaminants including 1,2,3-TCP. Between August 2013 and May 2014, none of the eight samples collected detected the chlorinated solvent above 0.03 micrograms per liter (ppb). This level is well below any established federal maximum contaminant level, as one does not exist for 1,2,3-TCP. Absence of detection in this monitoring suggests that 1,2,3-TCP is currently not present at measurable levels in the public system's treated water supply.
If you understand how granular activated carbon (GAC) contact time affects TCP treatment
When selecting water treatment geared toward chlorinated solvents such as 1,2,3-trichloropropane, the depth of the GAC filter bed is critical. TCP is resistant to removal by quick filtration due to its chemical properties. Longer contact time—achieved with deeper carbon beds—increases the absorption and neutralization of TCP molecules better than shallower beds optimized for taste or odor issues. Thus, when TCP is a concern, treatment should emphasize sufficient GAC bed depth to maximize contaminant retention.
If you consider land-use history linked to TCP presence
TCP is a legacy contaminant originating from past use in soil fumigants and industrial solvents. The agricultural history of Garland County, reflected in soil and groundwater records, may correlate with localized exposures. Understanding where fumigants historically were applied can help prioritize testing and treatment, though the public system samples do not show measurable TCP levels broadly across the service area.
If you review seasonal and multi-year variation in TCP occurrence
The federal monitoring covering nearly one year found no measureable TCP detections in Garland’s surface water-derived supply. However, contaminant levels can fluctuate seasonally or over longer periods. Ongoing testing is the only way to confirm if TCP levels change. Historical data shows no detectable trend upward or seasonal spikes within the stated monitoring period.
If you are researching treatment options that address TCP effectively
The C-Series 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure and uses a carefully engineered granular activated carbon system optimized for chlorinated solvent adsorption. Unlike standard filters aimed at taste and odor control, it prioritizes the longer contact time needed to capture TCP molecules. This targeted technology is a documented solution for household water requiring a specialized approach to chlorinated solvents.
If you want to understand risks of not treating 1,2,3-trichloropropane
While federal monitoring shows no detectible TCP in Garland’s municipal supply, unmanaged TCP in a household well or other source could persist unnoticed, as it resists degradation and air stripping methods. Long-term exposure to chlorinated solvents, including TCP, has been linked to health concerns by regulatory agencies elsewhere, so households wishing to avoid any exposure often choose to include treatment technologies designed to specifically address TCP.
If you consider why TCP’s resistance to air stripping matters
1,2,3-trichloropropane does not readily volatilize due to its chemical stability, meaning air stripping treatment is ineffective. This resistance requires treatment classes focused on adsorption technologies like granular activated carbon, which can trap and reduce 1,2,3-TCP molecules in water more reliably.
The Hot Springs Utilities system record for Garland County, based on federal monitoring data, indicates no detectible levels of 1,2,3-TCP in its surface water supply from 2013 to 2015, serving over 75,000 people. For more details, consult the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) public water system records online.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-05-12. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Hot Springs Utilities (AR0000209), AR: 8 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level