Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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If You Know 1,2,3-TCP Has a History in Your Area but Not in Your Own Water

Government sampling for the Ocean Pines public water system in Worcester County, MD, from 2013 to 2015 found no measurable 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) at or above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L) in any of ten tests. This data covers groundwater supply serving nearly 12,000 people across over 7,000 connections, but it does not measure or imply the TCP concentration in your household tap water. Area-wide findings do not confirm conditions within any specific home.

If You Are Aware 1,2,3-TCP Originated from a Soil Fumigant Impurity Many Decades Ago

1,2,3-TCP is a chlorinated solvent once included as an impurity in soil fumigants used mainly during the 1950s through 1980s. These compounds can take decades to migrate through soils and reach groundwater aquifers at depth. Although historical use ended long ago, its persistence means TCP can still occasionally be detected in groundwater long after application ceased. The slow movement also means groundwater contamination in one era may only be discovered many years later.

If You Wonder Why the Reporting Level for 1,2,3-TCP Is So Low Compared to Common Metals

The federal detection threshold for TCP in the Ocean Pines system was 0.03 µg/L (parts per billion). This is thousands of times lower than thresholds commonly applied for metals like lead or iron. The extremely low reporting level reflects the chemical’s potent nature and the scientific need for sensitive monitoring. Presence detected near this limit is a measurement for monitoring, not a health violation or safety finding, as no federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) exists for TCP.

If You Are Considering the Difference Between Public Water System Records and Private Well Testing

The Ocean Pines record reports area-wide monitoring data, not individual household results. Although no TCP was detected in the public water’s samples, private wells near or outside public system boundaries may have different water quality. To know your specific water quality, especially after equipment failure, testing your own water for 1,2,3-trichloropropane is essential. This establishes whether TCP or other constituents require treatment tailored to your residence.

If You Are Thinking About Plumbing Material and Water Age in Your Home

The plumbing materials within your home and the age of plumbing can influence water quality independently of the source water. Plastics, seals, or older pipes can contribute compounds or interactions that are not indicated by source water monitoring data. These factors may affect taste or aesthetics but do not alter the presence or absence of 1,2,3-TCP as measured in groundwater samples for public water systems.

If You Want to Understand How Maryland’s Limits Compare with the Lack of a Federal Maximum Contaminant Level

Maryland adopts some state guidelines that differ from federal standards. For example, the state limit for 1,2,3-TCP can be as low as 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L), or 0.005 µg/L, reflecting greater precaution. However, no federal MCL sets a legal maximum. This means federal data showing no detection above 0.03 µg/L indicates no federally recognized safety issue but does not substitute for state compliance or personal considerations using state limits as guidance.

If You Wonder How Many Samples and Wells Underpin the Available Data and What a Small Sample Means

The Ocean Pines supply’s monitoring involved ten samples over several months but only from public system sources. While this offers reliable area-level insight, it cannot capture variability in individual wells or changing conditions over time. A small sample count means that occasional localized detections unrelated to the main supply might not appear. Therefore, individual household testing remains the definitive source of information for your residence’s current water quality.

In summary, the public water record for Worcester County’s Ocean Pines system shows no detection of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above 0.03 µg/L in the monitored period, with no documented health-based violations. This reflects area groundwater supply conditions but does not describe any particular home’s water. Testing your household water directly is the necessary step to understand your water after equipment failure. When needed, the Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure as a treatment option to address 1,2,3-trichloropropane and related chlorinated solvents. For official data, visit the EPA’s public water system records for Worcester County.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-05-15. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Ocean Pines (MD0230005), MD: 10 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level