The public water system serving Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, sources its supply from groundwater. According to the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) data collected from 2013 to 2015, none of the tested volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exceeded their method detection levels in Albany's system, and this system has no health-based violations on record.
1. How a gasoline release differs from a dry-cleaning release in what it leaves in groundwater
Gasoline and dry-cleaning activities introduce different VOCs into groundwater. Gasoline-related releases can include compounds like 1,1-dichloroethane or MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), while dry-cleaning solvents often involve chlorinated chemicals. The EPA’s sampling in Albany found no detections above reporting levels for 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, or MTBE in the public water system. This indicates that, broadly, neither type of source contaminant was measured above detection thresholds during monitoring.
2. What a laboratory's method detection limit means when a compound is 'not detected'
The term 'not detected' refers to concentrations below the laboratory’s method detection limit (MDL), which is the smallest amount reliably identified by the test. For example, the MDL might be 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb) for 1,1-dichloroethane. A non-detection does not mean a compound is absent, only that it is below this threshold. This distinction is important because trace levels below the MDL may be present but not measurable by the test methods used.
3. The role of plumbing material and age, separate from the source water
Even where source water testing shows low or no detectable VOCs, household factors such as plumbing system materials and age can affect exposure. Some materials might interact with water constituents, and older plumbing may introduce other chemicals or create environments for VOC accumulation. Hence, private well or home plumbing testing is necessary to confirm individual water quality accurately.
4. How the constituent enters groundwater or the distribution system in this region
In Dougherty County, VOCs may enter groundwater through past industrial activities, leaks, or environmental releases linked to solvents and fuels. Because Albany’s public water comes from groundwater, any solvent compound presence depends on local land use and contamination history. The EPA’s monitoring results indicate no detected levels above reporting thresholds for the monitored VOCs in the Albany public system, which serves over 100,000 people.
5. What 'detected', 'median' and 'range' mean in the sampling record on this page
The EPA’s sampling record reports results as 'detected' if concentrations are at or above the reporting level, 'not detected' if below, and provides a range of detected values. In Albany’s case, all listed VOCs were 'not detected' above their respective reporting levels in multiple samples. Thus, the public system’s data showed no measured presence of these compounds at or above the thresholds set for this survey.
For households concerned about VOCs or other volatile organics, testing private well or tap water is the only way to determine specific concentrations on site. If solvent compounds are found, a residential filtration system like the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter can reduce these contaminants. This system uses advanced filtration technology to target VOCs and industrial chemicals effectively and ships ready to configure.
In summary, government monitoring of Albany’s public water system in Dougherty County has found no VOCs detected above reporting thresholds for several key solvent compounds. This record reflects the system as a whole, not any individual household’s water quality. Residents should seek private testing to understand their local water conditions. For more information, consult EPA’s public water system records for Albany, GA0950000.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-12-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Albany (GA0950000), GA: 135 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
- ✓ 90-Day Money-BackNo restocking fees — return within 90 days.
- ✓ Manufacturer WarrantyGenuine Fleck · Pentair · VIQUA equipment.
- ✓ Free Expert SizingTalk to a specialist and buy the right system the first time.