Government sampling from the DELTONA WATER public water system, which serves 81,006 people in Deltona, Volusia County, FL, found no perchlorate at or above the reporting level of 4.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L) during the 2001-2005 EPA unregulated contaminant monitoring period.
1. Which Household Fixtures and Water Uses Are Most Sensitive to Perchlorate
Perchlorate, when present, primarily affects drinking water sources. The household points of consumption most relevant are kitchen faucets and drinking water dispensers where water is ingested. Appliances like ice makers and coffee machines also use water that people consume. Bathing and washing uses are less directly impacted but can be considered secondary for overall water quality.
2. The Order of Testing: From Basic Checks to Certified Lab Testing
To determine if perchlorate is a concern in your home's water, start with reviewing public water system records as a preliminary reference. Next, simple water quality screening tests available locally can help identify broader issues. For perchlorate specifically, only a certified laboratory test using EPA-approved methods can reliably quantify concentrations, as fast or home tests lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity.
3. Interpreting the Measured Range Against Federal Standards
The 32 samples taken by EPA for DELTONA WATER showed no perchlorate detections at or above 4.0 µg/L. Because the EPA has not set a federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for perchlorate, these measurements do not indicate a violation or unsafe condition. They simply document the absence of perchlorate above the detection threshold during that time frame.
4. Reading Certified Laboratory Test Reports for Perchlorate
A certified lab report provides the perchlorate concentration in micrograms per liter, along with method detection limits and sample details. Values reported below the reporting level mean perchlorate was not quantifiably detected. Understanding this helps differentiate between detected presence, which is a measured value, and exceedances of health-based guidelines, which require regulatory thresholds.
5. Plumbing Materials and Age: Their Role Separate from Source Water
While source water may have low perchlorate, older plumbing materials or corrosion can introduce other water quality issues. However, these do not affect perchlorate concentrations specifically. It is important to consider plumbing separately to address any secondary concerns unrelated to perchlorate presence.
6. Comparing Volusia's Perchlorate Data with Neighboring Counties
When reviewing perchlorate data from adjacent counties, differences in sampling frequency, methods, and water sources should be accounted for. Variations in detection do not automatically reflect your home's water quality. Regional data provide context but cannot substitute for testing your own water supply.
What Not To Conclude from Regional Perchlorate Data
The Deltona public water system’s record shows no perchlorate detections above the reporting level during the EPA survey period, but this is not a guarantee about any individual household’s water quality. Only specific, certified testing of your home's water can confirm perchlorate concentrations. If perchlorate treatment is desired, the Fleck Perchlorate Filter system is a documented solution that ships ready to configure and can be acquired directly for household water treatment needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2003-02-12. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for DELTONA WATER (FL3640287), FL: 32 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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