Sunnyslope County Water
District
We are pleased to present to you this year's Annual
Water Quality Report. The purpose of this report is to increase your
understanding and confidence in the quality of drinking water delivered to you
by the Sunnyslope County Water District. Our constant goal is to provide you
with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.
Please note that tenants, employees and students may not receive
the report since they are not direct customers of the District. You may make
this report available to such people by distributing copies or posting in a
conspicuous location.
The Sunnyslope County Water
District obtains 100% of its water supply from groundwater aquifers pumped from
the District’s five active deep groundwater wells located throughout the District.
The other sources of drinking
water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,
reservoirs and springs. 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.
Contaminants that may be
present in source water include:
·
Microbial
contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment
plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
·
Inorganic
contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring or
result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
·
Pesticides
and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture,
urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
·
Organic
chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that
are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also
come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
·
Radioactive
contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas
production and mining activities.
In order to
ensure that tap water is safe to drink, United States Environmental Protection
Agency and the California Department of Health Services Division of Drinking
Water and Environmental Management prescribe regulations that limit the amount
of certain contaminates in water provided by public water systems. Department
regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must
provide the same protection for public health.
The District is pleased to report that our drinking
water is safe and meets all Federal and State requirements.
In order to ensure
that your drinking water is safe to drink the Environmental Protection Agency
prescribes specific limits for the amount of certain contaminates in drinking
water. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the
water poses a health risk.
Sunnyslope County Water District routinely
monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. Unless otherwise noted, the following
tables show the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1
to December 31, 2001. The data presented in this report are from the
most recent testing done in accordance with the regulations. All drinking water, including bottled drinking
water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some
contaminants. It's important to remember that the presence of these
contaminants does not necessarily pose a health risk.
Definitions
To help you understand our test results on the
following tables, we are providing the following definitions of terms and
abbreviations you may not be familiar with.
Non-Detects (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)- The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed
in drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is
economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are to protect the
odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
Public Health Goal or PHG – The level
of a contaminant in 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 drinking water below which there is no known or
expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are set by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) - picocuries per liter is a measure of the
radioactivity in water.
Parts per million (ppm)
or Milligrams per liter (mg/l)
– 1/ 1,000,000 - a measurement of
concentration on a weight or volume basis.
.
Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (ug/l) – 1/1,000,000,000 - a measurement of
concentration on a weight or volume basis.
Primary Drinking Water
Standards (PDWS): MCLs for
contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements,
and water treatment requirements.
Secondary Standards: refer to those constituents present in water, which
do not affect the public health. These tests performed assure that your water
meets certain unenforceable standards in appearance, odor and taste.
Trihalomethanes (THMs) are produced in the course of treatment as
by-products of the chlorination process. Some THMs are thought to be cancer
causing agents at certain levels. The California EPA MCL for TRIHALOMETHANES is
100 parts per billion (ppb). We are well under the MCL with a system average of
6.07 ppb.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - nephelometric turbidity unit is a measure of the
clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the
average person.
Methyl Tertiary – Butyl
Ether (MTBE) this gasoline
additive was tested for in 2001 and was not detected in our groundwater source.
Lead and Copper Testing
- The 1994 Federal Lead &
Copper Rule mandates a household testing program for these substances.
According to the rule, 90% of the samples taken from high-risk homes must have
levels less than 0.015 milligrams per liter of lead and 1.3 milligrams per
liter of copper. If our results are above the 90% Action Level, corrective
measures are to be taken. A high risk home is defined as a structure that
contains lead pipes or copper pipes with lead solder installed between January
1983 to June 1986. Sunnyslope County Water Districts Lead and Copper results
have always been below the Action Level.
New
analytical instruments and techniques make it possible to measure quality of
constituents in water that were undetectable in the past. The water quality
results in this report show parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter
(mg/l) and even parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (ug/l) of
detectable substances.
|
Primary Regulated Contaminants
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Contaminant |
Violation Y/N |
Average Level Detected |
Range |
Unit |
MCL |
PHG MCLG |
Likely Source of
Contamination |
Health Effects Language |
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Radioactive Contaminants
|
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Gross Alpha |
No |
4.35 |
2.2 - 6.58 |
PCi/L |
15 |
N/A |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Certain minerals are
radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some
people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over
many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
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Inorganic Contaminants
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Arsenic Year 2000 |
No |
2.82 |
0.0-5.0 |
ppb |
50 |
N/A |
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards |
Some people who drink water containing arsenic in
excess of the MCL over many years may experience skin damage or circulatory
system problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
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|
Chromium Year 2000 |
No |
10.8 |
0 – 23 |
ppb |
50 |
2.5 |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Some people who use water containing chromium in
excess of the MCL over many years may experience allergic dermatitis. |
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|
Fluoride Year 2000 |
No |
0.29 |
0.21-0.37 |
ppm |
2 |
1 |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Some people who drink water containing fluoride in
excess of the federal MCL of 4 ppm over many years may get bone disease,
including pain and tenderness of bones. Children who drink water containing
fluoride in excess of the state MCL of 2 ppm may get mottled teeth. |
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|
Nitrate (NO3) |
No |
13.87 |
6.6 - 24 |
ppm |
45 |
45 |
Runoff and leaching from fertilizer use; leaching
from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrate in excess of the MCL may quickly become seriously ill and,
if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby
syndrome. Pregnant women who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the
MCL may experience anemia. |
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|
Nitrate + Nitrite as Nitrogen (N) Year 2000 |
No |
2.5 |
1.2-3.1 |
ppm |
10 |
10 |
Runoff and leaching from fertilizer use; leaching
from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
Infants below the age of six months who drink water
containing nitrate in excess of the MCL may quickly become seriously ill and,
if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby
syndrome. Pregnant women who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the
MCL may experience anemia. |
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|
Selenium Year 2000 |
No |
5 |
0.0-25 |
ppb |
50 |
50 |
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from livestock
lots (feed additive) |
Selenium is an essential
nutrient. However, some people who drink water containing selenium in excess
of the MCL over many years may experience hair or fingernail losses, numbness
in fingers or toes, or circulation system problems. |
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Volatile Organic Contaminants
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TTHM [Total trihalomethanes] |
No |
6. 37 |
2. 1 – 13. 2 |
ppb |
100 |
N/A |
By-product of drinking water chlorination |
Some people who use water containing trihalomethanes
in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, kidney, or central
nervous system problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
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Secondary Regulated Contaminants |
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Contaminant Year 2000 |
Violation Y/N |
Average Level Detected |
Range |
Unit Measurement |
MCL |
Typical Source of
Contaminant |
|
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Color |
No |
4 |
<2-10 |
Units |
15 |
Naturally-occurring organic materials |
|
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Foaming Agents (MBAS) |
No |
50 |
50 |
ppb |
500 |
Municipal and industrial waste discharges |
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Iron |
No |
300 |
0.0-1500 |
ppb |
300 |
Leaching from natural deposits |
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Odor – Threshold |
No |
1 |
1 |
Units |
3 |
Naturally-occurring organic materials |
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Turbidity |
No |
2.8 |
0.08 – 13 |
NTU |
5 |
Soil runoff |
|
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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) |
No |
754 |
460 – 840 |
ppm |
1000 |
Runoff/leaching from natural deposits |
|
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Specific Conductance |
No |
1210 |
1150 – 1250 |
micromhos |
1600 |
Substances that form ions when in water |
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Chloride |
No |
101 |
83 – 120 |
ppm |
500 |
Runoff/leaching from natural deposits |
|
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Sulfate |
No |
232 |
200 – 260 |
ppm |
500 |
Runoff/leaching from natural deposits |
|
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The
data presented in this report are from the most recent testing done in
accordance with the regulations.
Unregulated Contaminants |
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Contaminant |
Violation Y/N |
Average Level Detected |
Range |
Unit Measurement |
MCL |
Total Hardness (as CaCO3) yr 2000 |
No |
309 |
300 – 360 |
ppm |
N/A |
Boron |
No |
966 |
740 - 1500 |
ppb |
N/A |
Calcium (Ca) yr 2000 |
No |
52 |
43 – 65 |
ppm |
N/A |
Chromium, Hexavalent (CrVI) |
No |
9 |
7 - 12 |
ppb |
N/A |
Magnesium (Mg) yr 2000 |
No |
44 |
31 – 57 |
ppm |
N/A |
Sodium (Na) yr 2000 |
No |
128 |
110 – 150 |
ppm |
N/A |
Potassium (K) yr 2000 |
No |
2.6 |
2.4 – 2.7 |
ppm |
N/A |
Total Alkalinity (as CaCO3) yr 2000 |
No |
294 |
270 – 310 |
ppm |
N/A |
Bicarbonate (HCO3) yr 2000 |
No |
294 |
270 – 310 |
ppm |
N/A |
Vanadium |
No |
4.6 |
4.0 – 6.0 |
ppb |
N/A |
pH (Laboratory) yr 2000 |
No |
7.5 |
7.3 – 7.7 |
Units |
6.5 – 8.5 |
The
data presented in this report are from the most recent testing done in
accordance with the regulations.
Distribution System Sampling for Lead and
Copper
|
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Contaminant |
Number of Sites above Action
Level |
90th Percentile Result |
Range |
Unit |
Action Level |
Sample Sites |
Likely Source of
Contamination |
Health Effects Language |
Lead |
None |
1.7 |
1.0 – 6.3 |
ppb |
15 |
42 |
Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits |
Infants and children who drink water containing lead
in excess of the action level may experience delays in their physical or
mental development. Children may show slight defects in attention span and
learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years may develop
kidney problems or high blood pressure. |
Copper |
None |
0.28 |
0.01 –0.53 |
ppm |
1.3 |
42 |
Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems;
erosion of natural deposits |
Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who
drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively
short amount of time may experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people
who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many
years may suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should
consult their personal doctor. |
SUMMARY
As you can see by the above tables, our system had no violations. We’re proud that your drinking water meets or is lower than all Federal and State requirements. We have learned through our monitoring and testing program that some contaminants have been detected. The EPA has determined that your water IS SAFE at these levels.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general population. Immuno-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, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health
care providers. Environmental Protection Agency and Center for Disease Control
guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline (800-426-4791).
We at Sunnyslope County Water District
work to provide top quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers
help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our
way of life and our children’s future.
If you have any questions about this report or
concerning your water utility, please contact Bryan
Yamaoka at (831) 637-4670. We want you, our valued customers to be informed
about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any
of our regularly scheduled Board meetings. They are held in our District Office
at 3416 Airline Highway on the second Thursday of every month 5:15 p.m.
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about water:
IS MY WATER SAFE TO DRINK?
Yes, water supplied by the Sunnyslope County Water District meets or is below the stringent State and Federal regulations. These regulations require close monitoring of all water supplies, and we must report a summary of water quality monitoring to our customers each year.
Water hardness is dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium and occurs naturally in our water supply. There are no distinctly defined levels of what constitutes hard or soft water. Typically, if the amount of dissolved Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) is above 130 ppm or 8 grains per gallon, water is considered hard and can cause scale to build up in pipes, on faucets, and leave white spots on dishware. The District’s water hardness ranges from 300 to 360 ppm or 17 to 21 grains per gallon.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I USE A SELF-REGENERATING WATER SOFTENER?
Self-regenerating water softeners use salt, the type that uses rock salt or potassium, may deposit up to 600 pounds of brine into the sewer system and into the environment each year. That’s a problem because Sunnyslope County Water District wastewater treatment plant cannot remove these salts during the treatment process and these salts along with our wastewater effluent are recycled back into the groundwater. Our Regional Water Quality Control Board permit requires us to reduce the salt byproducts in our wastewater effluent.
IF I ALREADY OWN A SELF-REGENERATING WATER SOFTENER, WHAT
CAN I DO TO LESSEN ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT?
Water softeners use the least salt when they are set to regenerate “on demand”, after a certain amount of water has been processed, and not just on a timer. If you do not have an on-demand setting, make sure to turn the unit off when it is not being used, such as when you go on vacation. Also, set the unit at the lowest hardness level that will soften the water. Experiment with the settings to see what is acceptable to you.
WHY DOES MY WATER LOOK CLOUDY? MILKY WATER?
Cloudy or milky water is usually due to air bubbles in the water. Distribution pipes, carry water under pressure, meaning air is dissolved in the water. These bubbles initially make a glass of water appear cloudy, but will slowly rise and disappear.
WHY DOES MY DRINKING WATER TASTE OR SMELL FUNNY?
Taste comes from the dissolved minerals in the water. The two most common reasons for poor tasting or smelling water are:
1. Chlorine odor is usually a result of the chlorine used to disinfect the water supply. If the smell is particularly bothersome, let the water stand in an open container, the chlorine will dissipate. The container can then be covered for later use.
2. A rotten-egg odor in groundwater is caused by a non-toxic (in small amounts) hydrogen sulfide dissolved in the water and usually found from the hot water faucet. A remedy is to slightly turn up the temperature in your hot water heater. Also, if you let the water flush for a few seconds, the smell will disappear.
Chlorine is added to the water pumped from the district wells to provide a high degree of disinfection over a long period of time. Because we get our water from five different wells, it is necessary to control the amount of chlorine added to the water. We measure the chlorine residual at five different locations in our water distribution system daily.
The weekly microbiological tests we perform look for presence of indicator organisms called coliform bacteria. If these indicator organisms are detected, there is a potential that other pathogenic (disease causing) organisms may be present. Our system is protected against microbiological contamination and the water you drink contains a small amount of chlorine to maintain a disinfectant capability. We have never detected E. Coli in our water system.
Drinking water that is thoroughly disinfected can be stored indefinitely in capped plastic or glass containers that will not rust. Be careful not to use plastic that will make the water taste bad, Because the taste will become “flat” after extended storage, periodic replacement is recommended. It is recommended to store water in a refrigerator if possible.
No, fluoride is not added to the District’s water supply. However, fluoride does occur naturally and is present in the water supply between 0.21 mg/l to 0.37 mg/l. By comparison, the fluoride level does not exceed the California Maximum Contaminant Level of 2 mg/l.
FOR ADDITIONAL DRINKING WATER INFORMATION?
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 Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
WHAT CAN I DO TO SAVE WATER?
Free home water surveys are available including toilet leak checks, free water saving devices and sprinkler system audits.
Replace older toilets
that use 3.5 gallons or more per flush with newer more water efficient models
that use 1.6 gallons per flush. This could save up to 10,000 gallons of water
per year. Rebates are available.
Install water-efficient showerheads and aerators (2.5 gallons per minute).
HOW MUCH WATER DOES THE AVERAGE HOME USE EACH MONTH?
In the year 2001,1,975 cubic feet or 14,722 gallons.
Average use in
March (the lowest month)is 940 cubic feet or 7,031 gallons.
Average us
in June (highest month)is 3,183 cubic feet or 23,809 gallons.