2008 Water Quality Table for Leona Valley

Primary Drinking Water Standards

Groundwater

Purchased
Surface Water

Distribution System-Wide

Radiological

Year Tested

Unit

MCL

PHG (MCLG)

Exceeded Standard?

Range

Average

Range

Average

Range

Average

Source of Substance

Gross alpha particle activity

2006–2008

pCi/L

(0)

ND–10

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

Radium 226

2006–2008

pCi/L

0.05 (0)

ND–1.1

0.2

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

Inorganic Chemicals

Year Tested

Unit

MCL (SMCL)

PHG

Exceeded Standard?

Range

Average

Range

Average

Range

Average

Source of Substance

Aluminum

2008

ppm

1 (0.2)

0.6

ND–0.2

0.005

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits; residue from some surface water treatment processes

Barium

2006–2008

ppm

ND–0.1

0.06

n/a

Discharges of oil-drilling waste and from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride

2008

ppm

0.1–1.3

0.5

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Nitrate (as nitrate)1

2008

ppm

22–39

4.1

n/a

Runoff and leaching from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Year Tested

Unit

MCL

PHG (MCLG)

Exceeded Standard?

Highest Level

Lowest Monthly Percent

Highest Level

Lowest Monthly Percent

Highest Level

Lowest Monthly Percent

Source of Substance

Turbidity (surface water requiring filtration)2

2008

NTU

n/a

0.36

97%

n/a

Soil runoff

Disinfection Byproducts

Year Tested

Unit

MCL

PHG (MCLG)

Exceeded Standard?

Range

Highest Annual Average

Range

Highest Annual Average

Range

Highest Annual Average

Source of Substance

Total haloacetic acids

2008

ppb

n/a

4.2–9.5

15.5

Byproduct of drinking water chlorination

Total trihalomethanes

2008

ppb

n/a

18.6–73.1

55.5

Byproduct of drinking water chlorination

Disinfectant and DBP Precursor

Year Tested

Unit

MRDL

MRDLG

Exceeded Standard?

Range

Average

Range

Average

Range

Average

Source of Substance

Chlorine

2008

ppm

n/a

0.2–0.7

0.5

Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment

Total organic carbon3

2008

ppm

n/a

0.8

0.7–2.2

1.5

n/a

Various natural and manmade sources

Other Regulated Substances

Metals

Year Tested

Unit

PHG

Exceeded Standard?

90th Percentile

Samples > AL

90th Percentile

Samples > AL

90th Percentile

Samples > AL

Source of Substance

Copper4

2005

ppm

1.3

0.3

n/a

0.73

0 of 10

Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives

Secondary Drinking Water Standards and Unregulated Compounds

Inorganic Chemicals

Year Tested

Unit

SMCL

PHG (MCLG)

Exceeded Standard?

Range

Average

Range

Average

Range

Average

Source of Substance

Calcium

2006–2008

ppm

n/a

63–114

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

Chloride

2006–2008

ppm

500

n/a

44–108

100

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits; seawater influence

Chromium 6+

2006–2008

ppb

n/a

ND–2

n/a

Discharge from steel and pulp mills and chrome plating; erosion of natural deposits

Hardness

2006–2008

ppm

n/a

240–360

310

110

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

Iron5

2008

ppb

300

n/a

ND–400

n/a

Leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes

Magnesium

2006–2008

ppm

n/a

7–36

9.5

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits

Odor

2008

Units

n/a

ND–2

0.7

n/a

Naturally occurring organic matter

2008

Units

n/a

7.4–8.1

7.8

6.4–7.2

6.8

n/a

Inherent characteristic of water

Sodium

2006–2008

ppm

n/a

39–206

105

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits; seawater influence

Specific conductance

2006–2008

µS/cm

1600

n/a

870–1460

1177

430–852

512

n/a

Erosion of natural deposits; seawater influence

Sulfate6

2006–2008

ppm

500

n/a

93–514

239

n/a

Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes

Total dissolved solids6

2006–2008

ppm

1000

n/a

510–1100

710

320

n/a

Runoff/leaching from natural deposits

Turbidity (groundwater)

2008

NTU

n/a

ND–2.2

0.3

n/a

Soil runoff

Zinc

2006–2008

ppm

5.0

n/a

0.3

n/a

Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes

1The average nitrate level was 33 ppm, with a maximum level of 39 ppm. We are closely monitoring the nitrate levels. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 45 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. Such nitrate levels in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of the infant's blood to carry oxygen, resulting in a serious illness; symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Nitrate levels above 45 ppm may also affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen in other individuals, such as pregnant women and those with certain specific enzyme deficiencies. If you are caring for an infant or you are pregnant, you should seek advice from your health care provider.

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 THMs and HAAs. Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of cancer. Concerns regarding disinfection byproducts are based upon exposure over many years.

4Lead and copper are required to be monitored every 3 years. We were unable to collect the required number of samples within the allotted time frame in 2008. Therefore, samples will be collected in 2009.

5Iron is present at levels that exceed the SMCL of 300 ppb. We blend well and purchased water to reduce iron levels, and weekly samples are collected to verify effectiveness. In September 2008, there was one sample that exceeded the iron SMCL, but the average of that month's results was below the SMCL. All other samples in 2008 were non-detect for iron. The iron SMCL was set to protect you against unpleasant aesthetic effects, such as color, taste, odor, and the staining of plumbing fixtures and clothing. Exceeding this MCL does not pose a health risk.

6Sulfate and total dissolved solids (TDS) were detected above the SMCL in one sample collected from one of the system's two active groundwater wells. In a subsequent sample from this well, sulfate and TDS were below their respective SMCLs. The blending system is effectively reducing sulfate and TDS levels. SMCLs are established for various compounds to protect you against unpleasant aesthetic effects, such as color and taste. Exceeding SMCLs for these compounds does not pose a health risk.

How to Read This Table

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

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

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.

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