Pentair Perchlorate Filter

Buy Now

View full details

Local Groundwater Supply and Its Journey to Your Tap

Public water in Memphis and Shelby County is drawn from groundwater sources managed by Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW), serving roughly 659,500 residents. This system delivers water through more than 255,000 connections. Groundwater systems are influenced by local geology and human activities, which can introduce varying trace substances before water reaches household taps.

Additional Questions for Commercial or Industrial Operators

Unlike residential users, commercial or industrial operators consider perchlorate levels in relation to process requirements, volume needs, and potential chemical interactions within their operations. These factors can affect decisions regarding treatment scale, retention times, and system configurations that differ from those needed in typical household settings.

Adjustments for Large Households, Second Homes, and Seasonal Properties

Large residences or properties used seasonally may require treatment systems with larger capacity or longer shelf-life components to ensure consistent perchlorate reduction. For homes not occupied year-round, equipment readiness for immediate operation upon return is an important aspect, impacting product selection and maintenance planning.

Interpreting the Recorded Perchlorate Measurements Against Federal Standards

Between 2002 and 2005, EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule recorded no perchlorate detections above the 4.0 µg/L reporting level in the MLGW system, based on 20 samples. It is important to note:

• No federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) currently exists for perchlorate.
• Detections below reporting levels are not reported and do not imply safety or concern.
• Detection is a measurement event; it is not a violation or indication of unsafe water.

As a household considering treatment options, these data provide a context but do not define your home's water quality, which requires individual testing.

Patterns of Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in Perchlorate Sampling

The EPA data span sampling events from July to December 2002. Over this approximately six-month period, the absence of perchlorate detections above reporting thresholds suggests stable low levels during this timeframe. Multi-year or seasonal fluctuations are not detailed in this record, so recent or future changes cannot be inferred from these results alone.

Expectations Based on Sampling Depth, Well Characteristics, and Source Type

MLGW’s groundwater source characteristics affect perchlorate presence. Deeper wells often show different chemical profiles than shallow ones due to aquifer geology and contamination pathways. Since the system serves a large area with multiple groundwater wells, individual well conditions may differ significantly. This diverse sampling reinforces why household-specific testing is necessary to determine treatment needs.

Sample Size and Its Implications for Understanding Perchlorate Levels

The 20 samples represent a system-wide snapshot rather than a detailed survey of each water source or household. While useful for regional monitoring, this limited sample size cannot establish specific exposure or guarantee uniform water quality across all taps. A small sample size means conclusions drawn must be considered cautiously, emphasizing the importance of direct water testing when evaluating treatment requirements.

Summary of the Public Water System Record Scope and Reference

The perchlorate data discussed apply to the Memphis Light, Gas & Water public water system and reflect groundwater-supplied water quality measured during 2002. This record does not represent any individual well or household plumbing and is available through the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule database.

For residential users evaluating perchlorate treatment, the Pentair Perchlorate Filter offers a documented technical solution to reduce perchlorate levels effectively when testing indicates it is necessary. The system ships ready to configure, supporting household water treatment customization based on actual water quality tests.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2002-12-18. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for MEMPHIS LIGHT, GAS, & WATER (TN0000450), TN: 20 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level