Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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Recognizing the Low Thresholds for 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Monitoring

The measurement threshold for 1,2,3-TCP in water is set at a very low level—0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to 0.03 parts per billion (ppb). This detection level is thousands of times smaller than typical benchmarks used for common metals or other contaminants in water quality testing. Such a sensitive threshold reflects the careful monitoring of this chlorinated solvent given its industrial use and environmental persistence. Because 1,2,3-TCP is monitored at such trace levels, detections must be interpreted cautiously: finding any at or above this level indicates the presence of the chemical, but not necessarily a safety or compliance concern.

Agricultural Patterns in Lincoln County and Their Relation to 1,2,3-TCP Findings

Lincoln County, including the City of North Platte, has a history of agricultural activity, which may influence the presence of certain chemicals in groundwater. The chlorinated solvent 1,2,3-trichloropropane has been historically linked to use in soil fumigation and industrial applications often associated with farming regions. While such land use can contribute to the occurrence of TCP in local water sources, government sampling from 2013 to 2015 for the City of North Platte's municipal water system found no detections of 1,2,3-trichloropropane at or above the reporting level in 28 samples.

Sample Size and Groundwater Source: Understanding What the Data Represents

Data for the City of North Platte's water system comes from 28 samples gathered over roughly six months within a federal monitoring program. These samples reflect groundwater sources feeding the public water supply serving roughly 25,000 residents through approximately 12,000 connections. While this provides a meaningful snapshot of the system's water quality during that period, it is important to remember that a relatively small number of samples over a defined timespan cannot represent every well or every tap. Individual household water quality may vary and cannot be inferred directly from this system-level data.

Preparing to Assess Your Home Water Quality: Essential Information to Collect

If you are concerned about 1,2,3-TCP in your household water, it is important to obtain a certified water test specific to your property’s well or water supply. Before seeking treatment options, document the following details about your water:

• Whether your water comes from the municipal supply or a private well
• Any lab reports or test results with dates and specific contaminant levels
• Known water quality issues or unusual tastes, odors, or staining
• Any prior water treatment equipment currently in use

Having this information on hand will help clarify if 1,2,3-trichloropropane is present in your water and guide appropriate next steps.

Variation Over Time: What the Monitoring Dates and Data Range Suggest

Monitoring for 1,2,3-TCP in North Platte’s water was conducted between October 2013 and April 2014, representing a six-month snapshot. No detections at or above the reporting level were recorded during this period, and no federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) exists for TCP. However, contaminant levels can fluctuate with seasons, groundwater flow, and land use changes. Multiple years and seasons of testing provide a broader context, but data from a single timeframe should not be solely relied upon to conclude the absence or presence of TCP in individual water supplies.

Conclusions Not Supported by Regional Water Data Alone

The absence of 1,2,3-trichloropropane detections in North Platte’s public water system from 2013 to 2015 is encouraging but should not lead to an assumption that every household water source in Lincoln County shares this result. Because this data comes from the municipal system’s groundwater supply and not from private wells or home plumbing, only a direct test of your water can confirm its specific 1,2,3-TCP concentration. Furthermore, detection at or below reporting levels is common for trace environmental chemicals and is not a health-based violation or indicator of unsafe water.

For households concerned about 1,2,3-trichloropropane, using water treatment equipment designed to address chlorinated solvents can be a prudent step once testing confirms the presence of TCP. The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter, which ships ready to configure, offers documented capability to reduce this chlorinated solvent effectively, helping provide peace of mind about your home's water quality.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-04-15. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of North Platte (NE3111106), NE: 28 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level