Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter

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Are chromium-6 levels in El Paso County affecting your household water? According to EPA data for the Widefield Water and Sanitation District (CO0121900), chromium-6 has been detected in public water sources with varying concentrations. While this does not specify your home’s water, understanding the regional picture helps guide your testing and treatment decisions.

Trivalent Versus Hexavalent Chromium: Why Total Chromium Results Are Not Enough

Different Chromium Forms Influence Evaluation

The EPA UCMR3 monitoring for Widefield WSD shows measurements of both hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) and total chromium but these are distinct: hexavalent chromium is chromium in the +6 oxidation state, while total chromium includes all forms, including trivalent chromium (+3 state). Because trivalent chromium is less mobile and less toxic, total chromium results alone cannot determine chromium-6 levels. For example, total chromium detections in this system reached up to 1.1 micrograms per liter (ppb), while chromium-6 detections reached up to 0.62 ppb. This distinction matters because only specific testing can quantify chromium(VI) concentration in your tap water.

How Ion Exchange and Reverse Osmosis Differ in Addressing Chromium(VI)

Treatment Methods Target Chromium-6 Differently

• Ion Exchange Technology uses selective resins to capture chromium-6 ions efficiently, particularly suited for household-scale water treatment with consistent flow rates.
• Reverse Osmosis membranes physically filter dissolved chromium species including chromium-6 but may require pre-treatment to avoid membrane fouling and often produce wastewater that must be managed.

Understanding these differences helps you consider which approach aligns with your home’s water use and chromium-6 challenge.

Additional Questions for Commercial or Industrial Operators

Higher Volume and Regulatory Complexity

• Operators must evaluate chromium-6 fluctuation over time with more frequent and diverse sampling.
• Compliance with specific discharge or worker safety regulations adds layers beyond residential concerns.
• Process water and wastewater streams may require specialized treatment designs beyond household needs.

Consequences of Leaving Chromium(VI) Untreated Over Time

Long-Term Impact on Household Water Quality

Persistent chromium-6 presence can affect taste and odor subtly but can be of concern due to chromium(VI)’s chemical properties. Without addressing chromium-6, scale and deposits may occur depending on water chemistry, and any associated equipment may experience increased wear. Regular water quality monitoring supports timely decisions on treatment.

Steps to Rule Out Sources and Confirm Household Chromium(VI) Levels

Testing and Diagnosis Sequence

• Start with reviewing your local water supplier’s most recent water quality reports.
• Test your specific household water for chromium-6 using certified laboratory services to understand your particular exposure.
• Evaluate other water parameters like pH and total dissolved solids that influence chromium chemistry and treatment efficacy.
• Consult available treatment options compatible with your household water characteristics and chromium-6 levels.

Fixtures, Appliances, and Processes Most Affected by Chromium-6

Where Chromium(VI) Can Impact Your Home First

• Drinking water taps, where water quality directly affects taste and safety perceptions.
• Water-using appliances like coffee makers or ice machines, sensitive to changes in water chemistry.
• Showers and faucets where chromium-6 can interact with plumbing materials potentially influencing corrosion over time.

If your testing shows chromium-6 concentration demanding treatment, the Autotrol Chromium-6 Filter, designed to configure directly with household water supplies, uses specialized ion exchange technology to address hexavalent chromium effectively at typical residential water use volumes.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-08-11. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Widefield WSD (CO0121900), CO: 98 results across 2 listed contaminants, 58 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L