What do 'detected', 'median', and 'range' mean in the sampling record on this page?
The EPA public water system record for Scottsdale, Maricopa County provides detailed data on various water quality parameters. Terms like 'detected' mean that a constituent was measured at some level during sampling but do not indicate a violation or unsafe condition. 'Median' is the middle value of all samples tested, giving an idea of typical conditions, while 'range' shows the lowest and highest values recorded.
For microplastics specifically, no federal or system-specific monitoring data exists, so these terms cannot yet be applied to this contaminant for Scottsdale's water.
A worked example: reading the record's median and range as a homeowner would
The lead 90th percentile number in the Scottsdale system was 0.0023 mg/L as of December 2023, but this relates to plumbing distribution samples, not the source water. Since microplastics are unmonitored, residents cannot rely on such system data to determine their own water's microplastic content. Instead, individual water testing is necessary to understand microplastic levels at the tap.
What is the role of plumbing material and age, separate from the source water?
Microplastic presence can sometimes result from older or degraded plumbing materials and household fixtures, which are separate from the source water quality itself. Since Scottsdale sources its water from surface water, microplastics could theoretically enter the system from environmental exposure, but plumbing materials can also contribute particles independently.
What should you write down before asking anyone for treatment advice?
- Source of your water supply (public system using surface water in Scottsdale)
- Recent water quality reports from your water supplier
- Your household's known plumbing materials and their age
- Any results from microplastic or other water quality tests you have conducted
- Your household water use and any specific concerns about particles or taste
How does seasonal or multi-year variation show in the record (dates and ranges given)?
The Scottsdale water system record includes data over multiple years but does not monitor microplastics. Seasonal or annual changes in surface water sources can affect water quality, including potential particulate content. Without direct microplastic monitoring, these variations are unknown, highlighting the importance of individual testing to detect changes over time.
What does the measured range mean against the relevant federal standard, and what it does not mean?
For constituents with standards, detected ranges inform compliance but do not apply to microplastics, which lack federal standards and system monitoring. Therefore, detection or absence in other parameters does not indicate microplastic presence or safety. Residents must rely on independent laboratory testing and consider treatment technologies designed for particle removal.
In summary, Scottsdale's public water system shows no health-based violations and uses multiple treatment processes for source water treatment. However, microplastics are not currently monitored, so homeowners must test their own water to assess microplastic presence. When choosing equipment for microplastic concerns, products like the Fleck Microplastics Filter, which ships ready to configure, provide a documented method to reduce these particles in household water.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2023-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for SCOTTSDALE CITY OF (AZ0407098), surface water supply, serving 241361 people: 0 health-based violations of 22 total; lead 90th percentile 0.0023 mg/L
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