Choosing How to Manage VOCs in Will County Household Water from Joliet Public Supply

This week, you need to decide between types of water treatment equipment that can address volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your household water supply sourced from Joliet's public groundwater system in Will County, Illinois.

How do seasonal changes in the water table influence solvent plumes near my household well screen?

Groundwater levels in regions like Joliet fluctuate naturally throughout the year due to factors like rainfall, temperature, and usage. These changes can cause solvent plumes, which consist of VOCs such as 1,1-dichloroethane or MTBE if present, to move vertically or horizontally. As a result, the portion of your well screen exposed to groundwater containing VOCs can vary seasonally, influencing the concentration and presence of these solvents in your water. While government sampling of Joliet's public water system found no VOC detections above reporting levels from 2013 to 2015, private wells can experience different conditions depending on local geology and nearby solvent sources. Therefore, testing your home's water at different times may be necessary to capture these seasonal variations accurately.

Why does understanding volatility matter for exposure through showering and dishwashing as well as drinking?

VOCs are volatile organic compounds, which means they easily evaporate from water to air. When you shower, wash dishes, or perform other household water uses that aerosolize water, VOCs can transfer into the air, leading to inhalation exposure. This is important because inhaled VOCs enter the body differently than through drinking water. Even if VOC levels in water are low, volatilization might increase exposure risks. Hence, addressing VOCs in household water involves considering both ingestion and inhalation pathways. Simply focusing on drinking water quality overlooks inhalation from daily water use activities.

How does the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter remove or neutralize volatile organic compounds?

The Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter uses a treatment technology designed to reduce solvent compounds and other VOCs commonly found in groundwater. It employs an activated carbon filtration process that adsorbs volatile organics, effectively trapping them within the filter media. This technology targets compounds such as 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, and MTBE, which were monitored in Joliet's water system. By passing water through this carbon bed, the filter lowers VOC concentrations, mitigating their presence before household use and thus reducing inhalation and ingestion exposure routes.

What do the terms 'detected', 'median', and 'range' mean in the water sampling record for Joliet's system?

In Joliet's public water system monitoring from 2013 to 2015, 'detected' indicates that an instrument measured a VOC compound at or above the reporting level, but this does not mean the water is unsafe. For all seven VOCs tested, no detections were above their respective reporting levels. The 'median' would be the middle value of measurements when ordered, but with no detections, the median effectively is zero or below detection limits. The 'range' shows the spread between the lowest and highest detected values; here, the range is below detection limits for all VOCs. Importantly, these findings are system-wide and do not specifically represent the water from any individual household connection or well, which can vary. Only testing your home's water can establish its own VOC content.

How often should the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter media be refreshed for consistent performance?

The activated carbon media in the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter has a maintenance rhythm that depends on the volume of water treated and VOC load. Generally, periodic media replacement or regeneration is recommended to maintain VOC removal efficiency. The system is designed to ship ready to configure, allowing you to manage media replacement intervals based on usage and water quality tests. Monitoring VOC levels in your household water over time will help determine when the filter media needs attention. Regular maintenance ensures continued protection from solvent compounds and other volatile organics.

To resolve uncertainty about VOCs in your household water, the key test to order is a comprehensive VOC analysis from a certified laboratory. This test should measure a spectrum of volatile organic compounds at concentrations reported in government monitoring for Joliet, including 1,1-dichloroethane, chloromethane, bromomethane, HCFC-22, Halon 1011, 1,3-butadiene, and MTBE. A result showing all compounds below laboratory detection limits would settle concerns about VOC presence and guide your choice regarding the Fleck VOCs & Industrial Chemicals Filter or other treatment options.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-11-13. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Joliet (IL1970450), IL: 154 results across 7 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level