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Opening: What the EPA's Monitoring Reveals About Bennington’s Water

The EPA’s unregulated contaminant monitoring rule (UCMR3) found that Bennington Water Department’s surface water, serving over 13,000 individuals, included detections of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like 1,1-dichloroethane at low microgram per liter levels in some samples collected between 2013 and 2015.

1. How Seasonal Water-Table Changes Move a Solvent Plume Relative to a Well Screen

In Bennington, the local water table varies seasonally, impacting the movement of solvent compounds dissolved in surface water. As water levels rise and fall, solvent compound plumes can shift vertically and horizontally, sometimes moving closer to or farther from the intake points feeding the public water system. This natural variability means the concentration of VOCs detected in water samples can vary depending on when and where sampling occurs.

2. What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page

For VOCs like 1,1-dichloroethane, the EPA data show detections above the reporting level in some but not all samples with a highest measured concentration of 0.081 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to 0.081 parts per billion (ppb). The "median" reflects the middle value of detected measurements, here about 0.0795 µg/L, illustrating typical detection levels when VOCs appear. However, "detected" means only that the compound was measured at or above the instrument’s threshold, not that it violates any safety standards.

3. What Happens When This Problem Is Left Untreated for Years, Stated Without Exaggeration

Prolonged exposure to low levels of VOCs may gradually affect water taste or create minor aesthetic issues such as discoloration. While Bennington’s water system does not have violations related to VOCs, VOC presence can affect household water quality and may cause issues in plumbing or appliances if not managed. Continuous untreated VOC exposure generally does not cause immediate harm but may warrant attention for households relying on sensitive uses or with vulnerable individuals.

4. How Sample Depth, Well Depth or Source Type Changes What a Reader Should Expect

Bennington’s system draws from surface water, which is more susceptible to rapid changes and environmental inputs than deep wells. Sample collection depth and proximity to surface sources directly influence VOC detection likelihood. Private wells or deep boreholes may have very different VOC levels, so individual water testing is necessary to understand specific household water conditions.

5. What Changes for a Large Household, a Second Home, or a Seasonal Property

Large households or properties used seasonally may experience variability in VOC exposure due to fluctuating water usage and periods of stagnation within plumbing. Seasonal homes may have different water chemistry when reoccupied, potentially affecting VOC levels and the effectiveness of treatment. Consistent water treatment tailored to household needs can address these fluctuations effectively.

Closing Summary

The EPA’s monitoring record provides a regional view of volatile organic compounds in Bennington’s surface water but does not specify individual household conditions. Testing individual water is essential to understand specific VOC presence. For residential water systems where VOCs are a concern following equipment failure, configuring an Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter offers a documented approach to managing these compounds effectively.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-11-12. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Bennington Water Department (VT0005016), VT: 40 results across 7 listed contaminants, 2 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for these UCMR-listed VOCs