2025 Public Health Goals
BACKGROUND
The Calderon-Sher Drinking Water Act of 1996 added new provisions to the California Health and Safety Code which mandate that a report be prepared every three years to provide water quality information to the public in addition to the Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR).
This report has been prepared to address the requirements set forth in Section 116470 of the California Health and Safety Code. It is based on water quality analyses during the years of 2022, 2023, 2024.
The law requires that a public hearing be held for the purpose of accepting and responding to public comment on the report.
WHAT ARE PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS (PHGS)?
PHG is the safe level of concentration which poses no significant health risk if consumed for a lifetime.
The process of establishing a PHG is a risk assessment based strictly on human health considerations.
PHGs are recommended targets and are not required to be met by any public water system.
PHGs are developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
What is Maximum Contaminant Level?
Upon establishment of a PHG, the California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management (SWRCB) determines a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) in drinking water.
The MCL is the highest level of concentration that is allowed in drinking water for a constituent.
The PHGs Report Detected Three Constituents Above the Public Health Guidelines:
ARSENIC
HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
ARSENIC
Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is a naturally occurring element that is found in combination with either inorganic or organic substances, and are found in soils, sediment, and sand groundwater.
The Public Health Goal (PHG) for arsenic in drinking water is 0.004 ppb (parts per billion).
The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic is 10 ppb.
Therefore, safe levels of arsenic in drinking water is any level under 10 ppb, zero being the safest.
Arsenic was found to occur in only one groundwater well – City Well 2, and not in any other wells.
It should be noted that City Well 2 water is blended with additional water sources that contain no detection levels of arsenic.
Detection Levels
Arsenic
New Detected Contaminants
Department of Drinking Waters 2023-2024 Guidelines
HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM is a form of the metallic element chromium. Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and volcanic dust and gases. , and are found in soils, sediment, and sand groundwater.
The Public Health Goal (PHG) for Hexavalent Chromium in drinking water is 0.002 ppb (parts per billion).
The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic is 10 ppb.
Therefore, safe levels of Hexavalent Chromium in drinking water is any level under 10 ppb, zero being the safest.
Detection Levels
HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)It’s a colorless solid with no odor, and it’s usually formed as a byproduct of burning processes or organic synthesis. and are found in soils, sediment, and sand groundwater.
The Public Health Goal (PHG) for arsenic in drinking water is 0.05 PHG (picogram/liter).
The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is 30 picogram/liter.
Therefore, safe levels of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in drinking water is any level under 30 picogram/liter, zero being the safest.
Detection Levels
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
QUESTIONS
The 2022, 2023, 2024, edition of the 2025 Public Health Goals Report and
2024 Consumer Confidence Report