Total Organic Carbon (“TOC”)is a term used to describe the nonspecific measurement of organic (carbon-based) contaminants in a water system. Organics can come from a variety of sources, since “organics” are compounds such as sugar, sucrose, alcohol, petroleum, PVC cement, plastic based derivatives, etc.

Total organic carbon reacts with chlorine and forms disinfection byproducts (DBP).  DPB like THM (trihalomethanes) and HAA5 (haloacetic acid)  may be carcinogenic if ingested for many years at very high levels. Reducing organic carbon prior to disinfection can significantly decrease the level of DBP.

The test performed by lab staff measures how much carbon is removed during water treatment. The information below represents average concentrations from water leaving our treatment plants.

Because Charlotte Water consistently has a treated water TOC concentration of less than 2.0 mg/L, we don’t have to meet increased TOC removal requirements.  Instead, Charlotte Water meets the Alternative Compliance Criteria #2 (see below).