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2003 Consumer Confidence Report
Introduction and Background
The water being delivered to you by the City originates from groundwater sources (wells) located on Eel River Drive between Drake Hill Road and Kenmar Road. These wells are known as #1 through #5. The water is now being treated to raise the pH and make the water less corrosive to comply with State and Federal requirements for copper. This treatment process makes the water less acidic by aerating and removing carbon dioxide gas which is naturally dissolved in the water. Carbon dioxide is the same chemical that is added to beer and soft drinks to make it "fizz". As required by the State Department of Health Services after the water is aerated it is then chlorinated to prevent any bacteriological contamination of the water. During the past year, your tap water has met all EPA and State drinking water standards including copper corrosion. Additional copper testing was conducted this past summer to test the effectiveness of the new treatment system and comply with State and Federal regulations. Additional testing of the new system will be conducted this summer to ensure the facility stays in compliance. If you happen to notice a white compound in your aerator screens from your plumbing fixtures, it is due to the new treatment process. It is calcium carbonate and it coats your pipes to protect them from corrosion. It is naturally occurring in your water and is not a health concern at all. In fact, it is the same compound that is the major ingredient in antacids. The Water Department recommends that you Hush your hot water heater periodically to help remove any excess deposits from your plumbing system. The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, pond reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants That May Be Present in The Source Water Include: Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agriculture livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals that can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff and residential uses. Organic Chemical Contaminants: Include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals that are byproducts of industrial gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems. Radioactive Contaminants: Can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to insure that the tap water is safe to drink the USEPA and the State Department of Health Services prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in the water provided by the public water systems. Department regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Additional General Information on Drinking Water All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptospordium and other microbial contaminants are also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Terms That May Be Used in This Report: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in the drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of the drinking water. Primary Drinking Water Standards (PDWA): MCLs for the contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements and water treatment requirements. Secondary Drinking Water Standards (SDWS): MCLs for contaminants that affect taste, odor, or appearance of the drinking water. Contaminants with SDWSs do not affect the health at the MCL levels. Public Health Goal (PHG): The level of a contaminant in the drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. The California Environmental Protection Agency sets PHGs. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in the drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the USEPA. Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in the drinking water. Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment, or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Variances and Exemptions: Department permission to
exceed an MCL or not comply with a treatment technique under certain
conditions.
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