Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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Why is a Granular Activated Carbon Bed Sized for Contact Time Rather Than Flow Alone?

In residential water treatment, especially for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as 1,1-dichloroethane or MTBE, the effectiveness of a filter depends heavily on how long water remains in contact with the filter medium. A granular activated carbon (GAC) bed is designed so that water flows through at a rate allowing sufficient contact time for adsorption of these solvent compounds. Simply increasing flow without adjusting filter size or capacity risks letting VOCs pass through untreated. When your current system seems overwhelmed, it may be that contact time is insufficient rather than the filter being inherently inadequate.

What Does the Measured Range from EPA Monitoring Mean Against Federal Standards, and What Does It Not Mean?

The East Cherry Creek Valley Water System, serving much of Arapahoe County, was monitored by the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) between 2013 and 2015 for VOCs. Results showed no detections above the reporting thresholds for compounds like chloromethane (0.2 µg/L) or HCFC-22 (0.08 µg/L). No federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) applies to these unregulated VOCs, so detection does not imply a health violation or unsafe condition. These measurements establish what the water system’s background levels are, not the level in any particular home. Knowing this helps set expectations and informs when enhanced treatment may become necessary.

How Do Plumbing Material and Age Affect VOC Levels Separately from Source Water?

The water supply to most homes in Arapahoe County originates from surface water sources and is treated before entering the distribution system. However, household plumbing components—such as older pipes or certain plastics—may influence volatile organic compound presence or persistence after water leaves the main system. Age and material can affect chemical interactions or even introduce minor contaminants unrelated to the source water itself. Testing at the tap is essential to distinguish between system-supplied VOCs and those introduced or retained by plumbing.

How Should You Compare Arapahoe County’s VOC Water Quality Record With That of a Neighboring County?

It is tempting to view monitoring data from neighboring counties as directly comparable, but differences in water sources, treatment methods, and monitoring frequency can make such comparisons misleading. For example, Arapahoe’s East Cherry Creek Valley system uses surface water, while a neighbor might rely on groundwater with distinct VOC profiles. Each system’s UCMR3 data reflects its own operational context. Use regional data to gauge typical presence levels but base home treatment decisions on localized testing and system-specific factors.

How Do VOCs Enter the Groundwater or Distribution System in This Region?

VOCs, which include compounds like bromomethane and 1,3-butadiene, can enter water systems through industrial emissions, urban runoff, or chemical spills. In Arapahoe County’s surface water sources, these contaminants may be present at very low concentrations, as monitoring shows. The distribution system’s integrity and treatment practices influence how much VOC content remains when water reaches your tap. Understanding entry pathways helps identify whether rising VOC levels originate upstream or within household plumbing.

What Test Should You Order and What Result Will Settle the Question?

Because regional data cannot specify your home’s water quality, the single recommended test is a comprehensive VOC analysis performed on a tap water sample from your residence. This test measures concentrations of volatile organic compounds known to be monitored locally, reported in micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb). If the test shows VOC levels near or above established reporting levels, considering a treatment upgrade is reasonable. The Pentair VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure and is specifically designed to handle VOCs at contact times suited for residential flow rates. This equipment helps improve removal efficiency when existing treatment reaches its limit, restoring confidence in your water's quality at home.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-11-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for East Cherry Creek Valley WSD (CO0103035), CO: 150 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level