Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter

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This week, homeowners in Adams County face the choice of which water treatment approach best suits concerns about 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) in their water supply. This briefing offers clear facts from EPA monitoring and key technical considerations to help clarify the decision.

How California's 5 ng/L State Limit Compares with the Absence of a Federal MCL

California has established a state maximum contaminant level (MCL) for 1,2,3-TCP at 5 nanograms per liter (ng/L), or 0.005 micrograms per liter (µg/L), specifically addressing this chlorinated solvent due to its industrial usage and persistence. However, the federal Safe Drinking Water Act has yet to assign a health-based MCL for 1,2,3-TCP. The EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) sampling for the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (WSD) from 2013 to 2015 detected no 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting level of 0.03 µg/L (30 ng/L). This means no federal legal limit applies, and no health-based violations are recorded for this system. Consequently, while California applies more stringent guidance for 1,2,3-TCP, Adams County's water system meets current federal health standards as documented by EPA data.

Granular Activated Carbon Contact Time: Why Bed Depth Matters More for TCP Than for Taste

When choosing equipment to address trace levels of chlorinated solvents like 1,2,3-TCP, granular activated carbon (GAC) filter design is critical. TCP molecules require sufficient contact time within the carbon bed for adsorption to occur effectively. This contact time depends largely on bed depth rather than flow rate alone. A deeper carbon bed offers prolonged exposure, improving capacity to bind 1,2,3-TCP, which is more chemically persistent than taste or odor compounds. Selecting equipment that ships ready to configure with an adequately sized GAC bed ensures better performance for TCP challenges, distinguishing it from filters optimized for aesthetic issues.

What the Reader Should Write Down Before Asking Anyone for Treatment Advice

• Confirm the source of your water, such as public municipal supply or well water.
• Obtain recent water quality reports or test results specific to TCP and other chlorinated solvents; note the units (µg/L or ppb).
• Identify your household water flow rate and typical usage patterns to assess equipment sizing needs.
• Note any prior equipment or treatment methods used for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or chlorinated solvents.
• Record any water quality concerns beyond 1,2,3-TCP, such as sediment or iron, separately, as these may require different approaches.

What Happens When This Problem Is Left Untreated for Years, Stated Without Exaggeration

Long-term presence of trace chlorinated solvents like 1,2,3-TCP in water, even at low concentrations, can lead to gradual accumulation in household plumbing and fixtures. While the water system’s record in Adams County shows no detections above method reporting levels, individuals relying on private wells may face different conditions requiring testing. Without treatment, taste or odor issues are unlikely at such trace levels; however, for peace of mind and to meet strict state guidelines, reducing any chlorinated solvent presence is advisable. The potential impacts are cumulative and may be more relevant for vulnerable populations seeking maximum water quality assurance.

What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Sampling Record on This Page

The EPA UCMR3 program measured 1,2,3-TCP in 28 samples from the South Adams County WSD public system between May 2013 and February 2014. None of these samples measured a TCP level above the reporting threshold of 0.03 µg/L (30 parts per billion). 'Detected' indicates a measurement above the instrument’s reporting level, while 'median' and 'range' describe the central tendency and spread of detected values. Because there were zero detections, these statistical terms do not apply. Importantly, no detected result signifies neither a violation nor unsafe water; it means TCP levels were below the sensitivity threshold of the federal monitoring method used at that time.

How the Constituent Enters Groundwater or the Distribution System in This Region

1,2,3-trichloropropane is a chlorinated industrial solvent historically used in pesticides and chemical manufacturing. It can enter groundwater through agricultural runoff, chemical spills, or disposal of industrial waste. South Adams County’s water system obtains supply from surface water sources, which may contain trace amounts of TCP due to land use upstream. The system undergoes regular monitoring by federal agencies, which has found no quantifiable presence in recent years. Public water systems like South Adams County WSD employ treatment processes meeting federal safety standards, minimizing risks from volatile organic compounds entering the distribution network.

In summary, the EPA public water system record for South Adams County reports zero detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting level. This monitoring scope applies at the system level, not individual homes, so private testing is needed to confirm a particular household’s water quality. For households weighing options, the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure with tailored granular activated carbon beds designed to provide sufficient contact time for trace chlorinated solvent reduction. Detailed water data and flow information will help decide if this equipment fits your household’s needs. For the official source of water quality data, review the EPA UCMR3 public system record for South Adams County WSD.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-02-10. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for South Adams County WSD (CO0101140), CO: 28 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level