Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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1. Identifying Which VOCs Are Recorded and Which Are Not in Adams County

The public water system serving Adams County, Colorado, known as South Adams County WSD, supplies surface water to 75,559 residents through 24,754 connections. Federal sampling from 2013 to 2015 looked specifically for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, and MTBE.

Among these, 1,1-dichloroethane was detected in more than half of the 28 samples analyzed, with values ranging up to 0.49 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb). The other listed VOCs were not detected above their respective reporting levels. These detections indicate the presence of these compounds in the system's water source but do not indicate any regulatory violation or safety concern.

2. Why Granular Activated Carbon Beds Are Sized by Contact Time, Not Just Flow Rate

Addressing VOCs such as solvent compounds effectively requires treatment systems designed to give water sufficient contact time with activated carbon. This contact time allows the carbon to adsorb these organic molecules. Flow rate alone does not determine treatment effectiveness because faster flow reduces the time for adsorption. Instead, sizing ensures the carbon bed volume and configuration provide enough residence time to reduce volatile organic compounds as intended.

3. Differentiating Aesthetic Secondary Standards from Health-Based Limits for VOCs

Federal monitoring has no maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set for many VOCs detected in this water system. Aesthetic secondary standards focus on water characteristics like taste or staining potential, which differ from health-based limits derived from health risk. For compounds like 1,1-dichloroethane found here, no federal health-based violation exists, signaling that detected levels are below thresholds associated with health concerns.

4. The Impact of Plumbing Materials and Water System Age Separate from Source VOCs

While South Adams County WSD provides data on source water quality, household plumbing materials and their age can affect organic compound presence. VOCs can sometimes originate from pipe materials or sealants within the property’s own plumbing rather than the public system. Therefore, individuals should consider both their home's plumbing and source water when evaluating water quality.

5. Understanding What 'Not Detected' Means in VOC Laboratory Reports

A 'not detected' result means the compound is below the laboratory method detection limit, not necessarily absent. The sample was tested at a defined sensitivity level; if the VOC is below that threshold, it is reported as not detected. This does not confirm zero presence, only that it was too low to measure reliably in that test.

6. Interpreting 'Detected', 'Median', and 'Range' in Adams County VOC Sampling

The sampling data shows a range of values for detected VOCs, with a median representing the middle concentration among positive detections. For example, 1,1-dichloroethane detections had a median of 0.24 µg/L, meaning half the positive results were below and half above this value. Understanding these terms helps contextualize how frequently and at what levels VOCs appear in water samples from this area.

Next Step for Households: To clarify the presence and concentration of VOCs in your specific household water, a direct water test ordered from a certified laboratory is necessary. This test can determine VOC levels at your tap, reflecting both source water and your plumbing. Based on results, solutions like the Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter, designed for residential use and shipped ready to configure, can effectively reduce volatile organic compounds to improve your water quality.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-02-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for South Adams County WSD (CO0101140), CO: 184 results across 7 listed contaminants, 16 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs