Addressing 1,2,3-TCP in Pawnee County Water: When Existing Equipment Needs Backup

The City of Larned in Pawnee County, Kansas, sources its water from local groundwater aquifers, delivering it through a community water system to over 3,600 residents. This groundwater travels from aquifer through treatment processes before reaching household taps. While the existing water equipment in many homes manages common water issues, some find that their current treatment cannot fully address concerns related to 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), a synthetic chlorinated solvent.

Myth: 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Can Be Easily Removed by Air Stripping

The reality is that 1,2,3-TCP resists air stripping due to its low volatility and stability in water. This characteristic means technologies relying on air stripping are not effective for removing this compound. Because of this resistance, water treatment approaches must involve other methods that allow for longer contact time or alternative mechanisms to reduce TCP presence in water.

Myth: 1,2,3-TCP Origins Are Always from Industrial Pollution Locally

In the groundwater supplying Larned’s system, TCP can enter through past use of chlorinated solvents associated with agricultural chemicals rather than active industrial contamination. The region’s agricultural practices historically contributed to trace amounts measured in water sources. While municipal records show no health-based violations, understanding how TCP arrives in groundwater helps communities consider appropriate treatment layers.

Myth: Depth of Well or Sampling Location Does Not Influence TCP Detection

Sampling depth and well source type affect what is found in water samples. Public water system monitoring in Larned via EPA’s UCMR3 found no detections of TCP above the reporting level in multiple samples between 2013 and 2015. However, private wells or different depths could show variability. Therefore, a household would need specific water testing at their point of use to know their own TCP concentration.

Myth: Treated Water Quality Remains the Same Regardless of Added Treatment Technologies

When a household's current water treatment equipment is insufficient to handle 1,2,3-TCP, adopting a treatment option like the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter can provide an improved water quality experience. This equipment uses a granular media bed designed for greater TCP contact time, reducing the chlorinated solvent concentration from water before it reaches taps. Water treated with this technology typically has lower trace levels of TCP, maintaining the overall quality and taste expected by consumers.

Myth: Agricultural Land Use in Pawnee County No Longer Influences TCP Levels in Water

Historical agricultural land use in Pawnee County has played a role in the presence of 1,2,3-trichloropropane in groundwater. Although today's farming practices might differ, legacy residues from past use of chlorinated solvents remain a factor in the regional water system. This history explains why TCP may be detected in some monitoring samples despite no current health-based violations recorded by the EPA. Awareness of this legacy helps households consider appropriate water testing and treatment solutions.

In summary, local government water system records show no health-based violations for 1,2,3-TCP in Larned's public water supply, but the unique chemical properties of this chlorinated solvent call for specific treatment attention. For households where existing equipment struggles to keep up, evaluating water test results and considering additional filtration like the Fleck 1,2,3-TCP Filter can help manage and reduce trace TCP effectively.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-09-08. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of Larned (KS2014505), KS: 10 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level