Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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How a gasoline release differs from a dry-cleaning release in what it leaves in groundwater

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also known as volatile organics or solvent compounds, can enter groundwater through various sources. Gasoline releases typically introduce hydrocarbons such as methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), whereas dry-cleaning operations release chlorinated solvents like 1,1-dichloroethane or chloromethane. In Memphis, Shelby County, the public water system supplied by Memphis Light, Gas & Water draws from groundwater sources where EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) testing (2013-2015) found no detections of these VOCs above reporting levels. Gasoline-related compounds like MTBE were not detected above 5.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L or parts per billion, ppb), and typical dry-cleaning solvents had zero detect above their respective reporting levels (e.g., 0.03 µg/L for 1,1-dichloroethane). This means that while both types of VOCs are relevant contamination concerns generally, the monitoring records for this system show no measurable presence at the reported sensitivity.

Why a granular activated carbon bed is sized for contact time rather than flow alone

Filtration methods that address solvent compounds including VOCs often rely on granular activated carbon (GAC) to adsorb the compounds from water. The effectiveness depends significantly on contact time—the duration the water remains in contact with the carbon—rather than the flow rate by itself. A GAC bed sized purely on flow rate risks insufficient removal if water passes too quickly. Instead, sizing the carbon bed to provide an optimal contact time ensures volatile organics such as chloromethane and 1,3-butadiene have adequate opportunity to bind to the carbon material, reducing their concentrations effectively. This principle supports consistent treatment performance in household applications where demand fluctuates throughout the day.

How to judge treatment capacity against the household's or facility's daily demand

Determining the appropriate treatment device for VOC removal means aligning the filter’s capacity with your household’s typical and peak water use. Because the Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter operates with a GAC bed calibrated for contact time, it is important to estimate your daily water consumption and flow patterns. Adequate capacity ensures the system can handle your routine volume without reducing contact time or filter effectiveness. This consideration helps avoid premature exhaustion of the carbon bed and sustains VOC reduction over time without frequent component changes. Capacity matching also supports consistent water quality even during busy usage periods such as mornings or evenings.

The household or facility symptoms that do and do not point to this problem

Signs that might suggest the presence of volatile organic compounds in household water include unusual tastes or chemical odors, though these are not definitive since VOCs can be odorless and tasteless at low levels. It is important to note that common household concerns like hardness, iron staining, or sulfur smells have different causes unrelated to VOCs. Also, the EPA record for Memphis Light, Gas & Water reports no health-based violations, indicating the public system’s groundwater source is not known to have VOC concentrations problematic at the system level. If your water shows persistent chemical smells or tastes not explained by plumbing or water hardness, it could indicate VOCs or another contaminant, but only an individual water test can confirm this.

The role of plumbing material and age, separate from the source water

Plumbing materials and the age of your household pipes can affect water quality independently of source water VOC content. Older plumbing may introduce metals or compounds that alter taste or odor, and plastic pipes might leach certain chemicals. These factors do not typically contribute to the presence of volatile organic compounds like those monitored under EPA’s UCMR3 but can complicate perception of water quality. Distinguishing between plumbing-related issues and source water VOCs requires specific analysis, because treatment suitable for VOCs targets dissolved organic chemicals and will not address metals or other byproducts of plumbing materials.

Order a VOC-specific water test to confirm your home's water quality

The definitive step to determine if your household water contains VOCs at concerning levels is to obtain a laboratory VOC analysis for your tap water. Such a test measures volatile organics precisely in micrograms per liter (ppb), confirming or ruling out their presence regardless of the public system’s overall record. If detected, the Autotrol VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter, which ships ready to configure for direct purchase, offers a specialized granular activated carbon solution designed to reduce volatile solvent compounds effectively. This approach provides a documented method to address VOCs if testing indicates their presence in your household’s water supply.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-12-08. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Memphis Light, Gas & Water (TN0000450), TN: 140 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level