The EPA’s public water system record for Camden District (DE0000124) shows that from 2013 to 2015, twelve samples were tested for 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) in the groundwater source supplying Camden-Wyoming, Kent County, Delaware. None of these twelve samples indicated concentrations above the reporting level of 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L), which is equivalent to 0.03 parts per billion (ppb). This is a survey result and not a compliance test, and no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) exists for 1,2,3-TCP. The system has no health-based violations on record.
Agricultural Land-Use History and Its Influence on 1,2,3-TCP Detections
Kent County has a long history of agricultural activities, including the use of soil fumigants in the mid-20th century. These fumigants often contained impurities such as 1,2,3-trichloropropane. Groundwater beneath agricultural areas can show traces of such compounds because of past land use. While the Camden District’s groundwater source is influenced by this regional agricultural legacy, the EPA’s monitoring during the UCMR3 period found no detections of 1,2,3-TCP above the reporting limit in the public water supply.
Legacy Contamination from Mid-20th Century Soil Fumigants
1,2,3-TCP is known as a chlorinated solvent impurity historically found in soil fumigants applied between the 1950s and 1980s. Over time, this compound can leach into deep groundwater layers due to its chemical stability and mobility in subsurface environments. The Camden-Wyoming area’s groundwater supply reflects this possibility, which justifies the EPA’s occurrence testing. However, the absence of reported detections above the threshold suggests that legacy contamination is not currently measurable at the public supply level during the monitoring period.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variability in Monitoring Results
The EPA’s data from January 12 to July 22, 2015, spans a portion of the year which may or may not capture all seasonal variations affecting contaminant concentrations. Multi-year monitoring trends can show fluctuations due to changes in groundwater flow, climate patterns, or agricultural practices. Given the limited detection of 1,2,3-TCP over this period in Camden District's water, one can infer relative stability but should consider continuing periodic testing to observe any changes.
Differences in Questions for Household vs. Commercial Water Use
Households typically focus on health and taste concerns within strict residential water volume needs. Commercial or industrial operators may require larger or specialized water volumes and may face regulatory or process-related queries about 1,2,3-trichloropropane presence. These operators might perform more frequent or comprehensive testing or apply different treatment configurations. For residential users, the key question is usually whether a detectable level of TCP exists that warrants targeted treatment.
Distinguishing 1,2,3-TCP from Similar Groundwater Contaminants
1,2,3-TCP is distinct from other chlorinated solvents in toxicity, environmental persistence, and treatment challenges. Unlike some volatile organics, TCP resists removal by air stripping due to its chemical properties. It is also different from aesthetic contaminants such as chloride or total dissolved solids, which affect taste and corrosion but are unrelated to TCP’s particular concerns. Understanding these differences is important when choosing the right class of water treatment.
Testing for Your Home’s Water and Taking Next Steps
The only definitive way to determine your household’s water condition regarding 1,2,3-TCP is to obtain a laboratory analysis of your specific well or tap water. This test should use methods sensitive enough to detect TCP at or below the EPA’s reporting level of 0.03 µg/L. Should this analysis indicate a measurable presence of the chlorinated solvent, water treatment equipment designed for this compound, such as the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter, ships ready to configure and offers an effective approach to address it. This filter uses documented technology tailored to reduce TCP concentrations and improve water safety and quality for residential users.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-07-22. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Camden District (DE0000124), DE: 12 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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