Chromium +6 is a hot topic today with environmental watch dogs publishing data regarding 30+ cities exceeding the allowable limits.

Waterline has issued a Sales Bulletin to help one make the right decisions for their drinking water concerns.

Waterline Technology Sales Bulletin: Chromium 6 - 12/22/2010

When researching this issue, the US EPA is the governing body for the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), it is best to use their data for sales marketing treatment positions on this issue. Below is the link to their site and excerpts as well as our take on the issue.

EPA link http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/chromium.cfm
Note: Total Chromium includes chromium+6, chromium +3 and chromium -0.

Here are a couple of excerpts from this site for your review:

EPA Treatment Recommendations: The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing chromium (total) to below 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb: coagulation/filtration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, lime softening.

EPA MCLG/MCL requirements under Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): EPA reviewed chromium (total) as part of the Six Year Review and determined that the 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb MCLG and 0.1 mg/L or 100 ppb MCL for chromium (total) are still protective of human health.
EPA Sources of Chromium: Major sources of chromium-6 and chromium-0 in drinking water are discharges from steel and pulp mills, and erosion of natural deposits of chromium-3. At many locations, chromium compounds have been released to the environment via leakage, poor storage, or improper disposal practices. Chromium compounds are very persistent in water as sediments. There is a high potential for accumulation of chromium in aquatic life

Waterline's current recommendation for treatment will be:

• Reverse Osmosis and or Water Softening. Remember that ion exchange is very selective and may or may not reduce the Chromium 6 to below the MCL in all cases depending on the water supply. Use this treatment process wisely.
• Field Testing: Field test kits are available, but they appear to be designed for testing wastewater and not for drinking water. Appear to be complicated with high possibly of errors in the field without proper equipment or training. We would suggest sending samples to an approved lab if testing is required or desired.
• Private Water Supplies: Since the homeowner is responsible for testing these supplies if you suspect Chromium 6 may be in your water we recommend a EPA approved lab analysis. You can also be proactive and install a drinking treatment system as a “Final Barrier of Protection” from unknown issues.

Additional Research Source of Dietary Uses of Chromium reference link: (note: not Chromium 6) http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/chromium-000294.htm