Since 1991, California water utilities have been providing information on water served to its consumers.  This report is a snapshot of the tap water quality that we provided last year.  Included are details about where your water comes from, how it is tested, what is in it, and how it compares with state and federal limits.  We strive to keep you informed about the quality of your water, and to provide a reliable and economic supply that meets all regulatory requirements.

Where Does My Tap Water Come From?

Your tap water comes from 2 sources: groundwater and surface water.  We pump groundwater from local, deep wells.  We also use Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) surface water from both the Colorado River and the State Water Project in northern California.  These water sources supply our service area shown on the adjacent map.  The quality of groundwater delivered to your home is presented in this report.

How is My Drinking Water Tested?

Your drinking water is tested regularly for unsafe levels of chemicals, radioactivity and bacteria at the source and in the distribution system.  We test weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually or less often depending on the substance.  State and federal laws allow us to test some substances less than once per year because their levels do not change frequently.  All water quality tests are conducted by specially trained technicians in state-certified laboratories.

What Are Drinking Water Standards?

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits the amount of certain substances allowed in tap water.  In California, the Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulates tap water quality by enforcing limits that are at least as stringent as the Federal EPA’s.  Historically, California limits are more stringent than the Federal ones. There are two types of these limits, known as standards.  Primary standards protect you from substances that could potentially affect your health.  Secondary standards regulate substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of water.  Regulations set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for each of the primary and secondary standards.  The MCL is the highest level of a substance that is allowed in your drinking water. Public Health Goals (PHGs) are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency.  PHGs provide more information on the quality of drinking water to customers, and are similar to their federal counterparts, Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs). PHGs and MCLGs are advisory levels that are nonenforceable.  Both PHGs and MCLGs are concentrations of a substance below which there are no known or expected health risks.

How Do I Read the Water Quality Table?

Although we test for over 100 substances, regulations require us to report only those found in your water.  The first column of the water quality table lists substances detected in your water.  The next columns list the average concentration and range of concentrations found in your drinking water.  Following are columns that list the MCL and PHG or MCLG, if appropriate.  The last column describes the likely sources of these substances in drinking water. To review the quality of your drinking water, compare the highest concentration and the MCL.  Check for substances greater than the MCL.  Exceedence of a primary MCL does not usually constitute an immediate health threat.  Rather, it requires testing the source water more frequently for a short duration.  If test results show that the water continues to exceed the MCL, the water must be treated to remove the substance, or the source must be removed from service.

Why Do I See So Much Coverage in the News About the Quality Of Tap Water?

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, 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 from human activity.