Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter

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Seasonal Water-Table Changes and Solvent Plume Movement Relative to Your Well Screen

The groundwater supplying Westerly’s public water system comes from an underground source influenced by seasonal variations. Changes in the water table can shift the position of solvent compounds, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in the subsurface environment. These compounds, which include substances like 1,1-dichloroethane and MTBE, can move closer to or farther from extraction points depending on rainfall, temperature, and groundwater recharge patterns.

For residents relying on groundwater wells, the relative position of a VOC plume to a well screen can vary over time. Government testing under the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) did not detect these VOCs above the reporting levels in Westerly’s public water system during 2013–2015. However, the movement of solvent plumes caused by seasonal water-table changes means homeowners with private wells may experience different concentrations, which only a private test can confirm.

Why Volatility Matters: Showering, Dishwashing, and Inhalation Exposure Compared to Drinking

Volatile organic compounds evaporate relatively easily at ambient temperatures. This volatility means exposure to VOCs in water is not limited to ingestion. Activities such as showering and dishwashing release VOCs into the air, potentially leading to inhalation or dermal contact. Understanding this is important when considering water treatment options for a household.

Though Westerly's public water system has no detections exceeding reporting levels for monitored VOCs, the characteristics of VOCs mean that even low concentrations can enter the indoor air during water use. Choosing a treatment system designed to reduce volatile organics can address exposure through both drinking water and household water use activities.

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

Household size and water usage patterns influence the volume and frequency of water drawn through treatment systems. Larger families or those occupying a residence seasonally may find that their water demand affects how effectively a treatment device reduces volatile organics.

For seasonal homes or those with intermittent occupancy, VOC concentrations in private wells might fluctuate due to changes in groundwater levels and usage. The known concentrations measured for the public water system may not reflect these dynamics precisely. The treatment class needed should consider factors like water volume and usage duration to ensure effective volatile organic compound removal.

What a Laboratory's Method Detection Limit Means When a Compound Is 'Not Detected'

EPA's UCMR3 monitoring data for Westerly's water system shows no detections of listed VOCs above their specific method detection limits—values ranging from 0.03 to 5.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L), equivalent to parts per billion (ppb). A “not detected” result signifies that if the compound is present, it is below the level that laboratory methods can reliably measure.

This does not mean VOCs are completely absent, only that they are not measurable above the standard detection thresholds. To know the exact concentration in your household water, especially if you use a private well, specific and current testing at a qualified laboratory is necessary.

The Role of Plumbing Material and Age, Separate from the Source Water

Water quality inside a home can be affected by plumbing materials and their condition, independent of source water quality. VOC levels measured by public system monitoring relate to the water at the point it enters the distribution network, not necessarily as it emerges from household taps.

Older pipes or materials can sometimes interact with water or accumulate residues, potentially affecting volatile organics concentrations or other water properties. Understanding your household plumbing composition helps in determining the appropriate treatment approach to address VOCs effectively.

Which Fixtures, Appliances, or Processes Are Affected First and Why

Since volatile organic compounds vaporize readily, fixtures that aerosolize water, such as showers and faucets, can release VOCs into indoor air quickly if they are present. Dishwashers and humidifiers connected to water lines may also facilitate exposure through inhalation.

The first points of exposure often are those involving water spray or mist, making effective VOC treatment important before water reaches these appliances. The Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter is designed to reduce volatile organics at the whole-house level, helping mitigate exposure across multiple household activities.

Next Step: Ordering a Private Water Test to Determine Your Household's Specific VOC Levels

Because government monitoring data reflect the public water system overall and do not measure individual household variations, the only way to know the VOC concentrations in your home’s water is to conduct a laboratory test. For residents on municipal supply in Westerly, testing can confirm whether the source water quality matches public records or if plumbing factors influence VOC presence.

A reliable test targeted at volatile organics will provide measurement down to micrograms per liter (ppb) detection limits, enabling an informed decision about the need for and choice of a treatment solution. If measurable VOCs are present, a Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter ships ready to configure for residential use, offering a documented method to reduce volatile organics and related solvents from water.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-09-16. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Westerly Water Department (RI1559512), RI: 104 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level