2008 Water Quality Table for Oroville
Primary Drinking Water Standards |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
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Inorganic Chemicals |
Unit |
MCL |
PHG |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
Range |
Average |
Year Tested |
Results or Range |
Average |
Source of Substance |
Fluoride1 |
ppm |
2 |
1 |
No |
2008 |
0.8–0.94 |
0.9 |
2008 |
0.6–1.1 |
0.9 |
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
Nitrate (as nitrate) |
ppm |
45 |
45 |
No |
2008 |
5.7–14.7 |
10.7 |
2008 |
n/a |
Runoff and leaching from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
|
Unit |
MCL |
PHG (MCLG) |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
Highest Level |
Lowest Monthly Percent |
Year Tested |
Highest Level |
Lowest Monthly Percent |
Source of Substance |
|
Turbidity (Surface water requiring filtration)2 |
NTU |
TT |
n/a |
No |
2008 |
n/a |
2008 |
ND–0.2 |
95.4% |
Soil runoff |
|
Organic Chemicals |
Unit |
MCL |
PHG |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
Range |
Average |
Year Tested |
Highest Level |
Lowest Monthly Percent |
Source of Substance |
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) |
ppb |
5 |
0.06 |
No |
2006–2008 |
ND–1.1 |
0.4 |
n/a |
Discharge from factories, dry cleaners, and auto shops (metal degreaser) |
||
Disinfection Byproducts |
Unit |
MCL |
PHG (MCLG) |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
Range |
Highest Annual Average |
Year Tested |
Highest Level |
Lowest Monthly Percent |
Source of Substance |
Total haloacetic acids |
ppb |
60 |
n/a |
No |
2008 |
15–20 |
17 |
2008 |
15–20 |
17 |
Byproduct of drinking water chlorination |
Total trihalomethanes |
ppb |
80 |
n/a |
No |
2008 |
18–26 |
23 |
2008 |
18–26 |
23 |
Byproduct of drinking water chlorination |
Disinfectant and |
Unit |
MRDL |
MRDLG |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
Range |
Average |
Year Tested |
Highest Level |
Lowest Monthly Percent |
Source of Substance |
Chlorine |
ppm |
4 |
4 |
No |
2008 |
0.3–1.2 |
0.8 |
2008 |
0.3–1.2 |
0.8 |
Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment |
Total organic carbon3 |
ppm |
TT |
n/a |
No |
2008 |
n/a |
2008 |
0.4–4 |
1 |
Various natural and manmade sources |
|
Other Regulated Substances |
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Metals |
Unit |
AL |
PHG |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
90th Percentile |
Samples > AL |
Year Tested |
90th Percentile |
Samples > AL |
Source of Substance |
Copper |
ppm |
1.3 |
0.3 |
No |
2007 |
0.07 |
1 of 32 |
0.07 |
1 of 32 |
Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives |
|
Secondary Drinking Water Standards and Unregulated Compounds |
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Inorganic Chemicals |
Unit |
SMCL |
PHG (MCLG) |
Exceeded Standard? |
Year Tested |
Range |
Average |
Year Tested |
Result or Range |
Average |
Source of Substance |
Boron |
ppm |
NL=1 |
n/a |
No |
2008 |
1.2–1.3 |
1.25 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits |
||
Calcium |
ppm |
n/a |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
24–35.6 |
27.7 |
2008 |
8.9 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Chloride |
ppm |
500 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
9–44 |
21 |
2008 |
4.7 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits; seawater influence |
Color |
UNITS |
15 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
ND–1 |
0.5 |
n/a |
Naturally occurring organic matter |
||
Hardness |
ppm |
n/a |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
130–166 |
145 |
2008 |
37 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Magnesium |
ppm |
n/a |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
17–20 |
18.35 |
2008 |
3.7 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Odor |
T.O.N. |
3 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
ND–1 |
0.3 |
2008 |
1 |
n/a |
Naturally occurring organic matter |
pH |
STD U |
n/a |
n/a |
No |
2008 |
7.2–7.8 |
7.5 |
2008 |
7.8 |
n/a |
Inherent characteristic of water |
Sodium |
ppm |
n/a |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
20.7–56.2 |
34.7 |
2008 |
7.5 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits; seawater influence |
Specific conductance |
µS/cm |
1600 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
280–578 |
398 |
2008 |
110 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits; seawater influence |
Sulfate |
ppm |
500 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
12–69 |
40 |
2008 |
2.4 |
n/a |
Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes |
Total dissolved solids |
ppm |
1000 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
222–332 |
273.5 |
2008 |
69 |
n/a |
Runoff/leaching from natural deposits |
Turbidity (groundwater) |
NTU |
5 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
ND–0.18 |
0.1 |
n/a |
Soil runoff |
||
Vanadium |
ppb |
NL=50 |
n/a |
No |
2006–2008 |
5.8–16.9 |
11.4 |
n/a |
Erosion of natural deposits; manufacturing of alloys and steel |
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1Our water system treats your water by adding fluoride to naturally occurring fluoride in order to help prevent tooth decay in consumers. The fluoride levels in the treated water are maintained within a range of 0.6 to 1.7 ppm, as required by Department of Public Health regulations.
2For surface water systems, the treatment technique dictates that the turbidity level of the filtered water be less than or equal to 0.3 NTU in 95% of the measurements taken each month and shall not exceed 1 NTU at any time. Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
3Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects; however, TOC provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, including liver or kidney problems, nervous system effects, or an increased risk of cancer.
How to Read This Table
We test your water for more than 100 regulated contaminants. The table in this report lists only those that were detected.
The table shows water quality test results divided into two main sections: “primary standards” and “secondary standards.” Primary standards protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water. Secondary standards are limits for substances that could affect the water's taste, odor, or appearance.
Definitions
|
µS/cm = measure of specific conductance n/a = not applicable ND = not detected NTU = nephelometric turbidity unit pCi/L = picoCuries per liter (measure of radioactivity) ppb = parts per billion (micrograms per liter) ppm = parts per million (milligrams per liter) SMCL = secondary maximum contaminant level |
Public Health Goal (PHG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency.
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 are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
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 are economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs are set by the USEPA.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer's tap.
Notification Level (NL): A health-based advisory level for an unregulated contaminant in drinking water. It is used by the California Department of Public Health to provide guidance to drinking water systems.
Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS): MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants that affect health, along with their monitoring, reporting, and water treatment requirements.
Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Potential Sources of Contamination
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 water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled) 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 human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which 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, which are by-products 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 the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California Department of Public Health (Department) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Department regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised people, such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, those who have undergone organ transplants, those with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly people, and infants, can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water. USEPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.