Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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Why the Reporting Level for 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Is Set Extremely Low Compared to Common Metals

The reporting threshold of 0.03 micrograms per liter reflects federal sensitivity to chlorinated solvents

1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) is a synthetic chlorinated solvent historically used as a soil fumigant and industrial chemical. Due to its persistence and potential health concerns, government monitoring programs use very low reporting levels to detect even trace amounts. This threshold is thousands of times lower than levels commonly set for metals like lead or arsenic because TCP's presence in water is expected to be minimal and difficult to detect with less sensitive methods.

How 1950s-1980s Soil Fumigant Impurities Reached Deep Groundwater Decades Later

Legacy agricultural use in Shelby County led to TCP traces in groundwater monitored by Memphis Light, Gas & Water

TCP historically appeared as an impurity in soil fumigants applied to agricultural lands across Shelby County, including areas supplying Memphis groundwater. Because TCP is stable and migrates slowly, it took decades after application for it to reach the deep groundwater sources serving the public. The 2013-2015 federal Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) detected no TCP above 0.03 micrograms per liter in Memphis’s drinking water system, indicating TCP's residual presence is below current detection limits for public supply.

Maintenance Rhythm of the Documented Technology in Plain Terms

Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter equipment ships ready to configure for household use requiring routine upkeep

The Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter technology addresses chlorinated solvent traces through specialized filtration media. It arrives ready to configure with household plumbing setups. Maintaining the filter typically involves scheduled media replacement or regeneration at intervals defined by water usage and contaminant levels. This predictable maintenance rhythm supports consistent performance without unexpected service interruptions.

Interpreting 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in the Sampling Record

'Detected' means measurable TCP was found, not a violation or unsafe level

The 2013-2015 UCMR3 data for Memphis’s public water system shows 20 samples with zero detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the 0.03 micrograms per liter reporting level. The terms 'median' and 'range' describe statistical distribution if detections were present but are zero here. A detection confirms the presence of TCP at or above the instrument's sensitivity but does not imply water is unsafe or noncompliant.

A Worked Example: Reading the Record's Median and Range as a Homeowner Would

Memphis data provides baseline context but not your household’s specific water content

Since Memphis Light, Gas & Water recorded no 1,2,3-TCP detections above 0.03 micrograms per liter, the median and range values for this contaminant are effectively zero. This information means that public water supplies in your area consistently test below the federal monitoring threshold for TCP during the monitoring period. However, to understand the 1,2,3-TCP situation in your household’s water, conducting a private sample test is necessary.

The Agricultural Land-Use History of Shelby County and How it Maps onto Detections

Past fumigant use influenced TCP presence but current public water records show no reported detections

The history of agricultural fumigant application in Shelby County explains why 1,2,3-TCP remains a subject of monitoring. While legacy use peaked mid-20th century, federal testing of Memphis groundwater sources since then found no measurable TCP above reporting limits. This suggests groundwater remediation and dilution over time. Still, localized wells on or near former agricultural sites might experience different results, warranting individual testing for households in such areas.

Closing: The Single Test the Reader Should Order and What Result Would Settle the Question

Because area-wide government monitoring data do not reveal elevated 1,2,3-TCP in Memphis’s public water, the critical step for deciding between water treatment options is submitting a water quality test for your specific residence. This test should measure 1,2,3-trichloropropane concentration using methods sensitive to 0.03 micrograms per liter or lower. A result below this threshold would indicate minimal TCP presence, potentially avoiding additional treatment needs. Conversely, any detection would clarify the advisability of configuring a Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter at your household to address residual chlorinated solvents.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-08. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Memphis Light, Gas & Water (TN0000450), TN: 20 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level