Annual Water Report

Este informe contiene informaciün muy importante sobre su agua potable.  Tradúzcalo, ü

hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Since 1990, community water systems in California have been providing an Annual Water Quality Report to customers under regulations adopted in 1989 by the California Department of Health Services.  However, the 1996 amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and recently adopted federal regulations now require a “Consumer Confidence Report”.  In addition, California law now requires a similar report to consumers.

This report must contain information on the quality of water delivered by the system and characterize any risks from exposure to contaminants detected in the drinking water.  Contaminant levels have previously had a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).   The Federal Government has now established a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for each constituent that has an MCL.  The State of California is currently establishing their own Public Health Goal (PHG) for each of the same contaminants.  Where the State has not yet set a PHG, the requirement levels noted in the tables on the following pages refer to the federal MCLG.  Definitions of these terms are as follows:

§                      Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL):

This is 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 set to protect the odor, taste and appearance of drinking water.

§                      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 (U.S. EPA).

§                      Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL):

The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer’s tap.

§                      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.  MRDSs are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

§                      Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS):

MCLs, for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.

§                      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 (CAL. EPA). 

§                      Regulatory Action Level (RAL):

This is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

§                      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.

§                      Treatment Technique (TT):

A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

§                      Variances and Exemptions (V&E):

State or EPA permission to exceed an MCL or not comply with a treatment technique under certain conditions.

In 2010, the North of the River Municipal Water District supplied approximately 1689 acre/feet of treated surface water and pumped approximately 361.60 acre/feet from District owned wells.  The primary source of your drinking water is treated water from the Henry C. Garnett Treatment Plant via the Friant Kern Canal, State Water Aqueduct, Kern River and some groundwater.  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: (e.g. viruses and bacteria) 

May come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

§                      Inorganic Contaminants: (e.g. salts and metals) 

Can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, or farming.

§                      Pesticides and Herbicides:

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 by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, but can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

§                      Radioactive Contaminants:

Can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production.

The North of the River Municipal Water District has one potable water well known as The Holson Well, and one inactive water well (Well #1).  The Holson Well, located at 711 Willow Drive, is tested every 3 years for various constituents.  The Holson Well has been tested for all parameters listed above in accordance with all applicable State and Federal Regulations.  This well was also tested for synthetic and volatile organic chemicals.  All analysis results for synthetic and volatile organic chemicals were less than the detection limit.  In addition, this well was tested for nitrates.  A source water assessment was conducted for the Holson Well of the North of the River Municipal Water District water system in May, 2001. The source is considered most vulnerable to the following activities not associated with any detected contaminants: Chemical/Petroleum Pipelines.  A copy of the complete assessment may be viewed at North of the River Municipal Water District, 4000 Rio Del Norte Street, Oildale, CA 93308.  You may request a summary of the assessment be sent to you by contacting: David Aranda, General Manager by phone (661) 393-5411, by fax (661) 399-8911 or by e-mail at daranda@normwd.org.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California State Department of Public Health (Department) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  Department regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public health. 

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 United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The North of the River Municipal Water District vigilantly safeguards its water supplies, and once again we are proud to report that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard during this reporting period.  Last year (2009), as in years past, your tap water met all USEPA and State drinking water health standards.   The District meets the current Federal and State required Lead & Copper rules.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.  Immuno-compromised persons (e.g., 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.  USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (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.

In our continuing efforts to maintain a safe and dependable water supply, and to comply with State and Federal regulations, it may be necessary to make improvements to your water system.  The costs may be reflected in the rate structures, because rate adjustments may be necessary in order to make these improvements.  These improvements are sometimes reflected as rate structure adjustments.  Thank you for understanding.

This brochure is a snapshot of last year’s water quality.  Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to USEPA and State standards.  We are committed to providing you with this information because informed customers are our best allies. 

If you have any questions or need more information, you may attend the District’s regularly scheduled Board meetings (3^rd Wednesday of every month @ 4:30 p.m.), or call General Manager - David Aranda at (661) 393-5411. 

We look forward to continued efforts in providing you with high quality water.

 To Review Full Document Click here