2005 UNIT DESCRIPTIONS IS MY WATER SAFE? Last year, as in years past, your tap water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small
ug/L:Parts per billion water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants
mg/L:Number of milligrams of substance in state drinking water health standards. The South Tahoe Public does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.
one liter of water Utility District vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and, once More information about contaminants and potential health
ppm:Parts per million,or milligrams per liter again, we are proud to report that our system has not violated a effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection
(mg/L) maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
ppb:Parrs per billion,or micrograms per liter DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? Some The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water)
lug/0 people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and
ppt:Parts per trillion,or nanograms per liter water than the general population. Immuno-compromised wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through
ppq:Pa ter rts per quadrillion,or picograms per persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in
pCi/L:Picocuries per liter(a measure of persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances
radioactivity) HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
mrem/yr:Millirems per year(a measure of infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may
radiation absorbed by the body) should seek advice about drinking water from their health care come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural
MFL:Million Fibers per Liter,used to measure providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such
asbestos concentration appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by as salts and metals, can be naturally occurring or result from
NTU:Nephelometric Turbidity Units.Turbidity Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available
is a measure of the cloudiness of the from the USEPA's Safe Water Drinking Hotline (800-426-4791). urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater
water. We monitor it because it is a discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
good indicator of the effectiveness of WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM?The District's Pesticides and herbicides, may come from a variety of sources
our filtration system. service area is organized into 16 pressure zones serving over such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential
positive samples/month:The number of 2.4 billion gallons annually from 16 active drinking water wells uses. Organic Chemical Contaminants, includingsynthetic and
samples taken monthly that were found to over 14,000 homes and businesses. All our drinkingis g
to be positive water volatile organic chemicals, are by-products of industrial
pumped from underground aquifers. No water is taken from
positive samples/yr:The number of positive processes and petroleum production, and can also come from
samples taken that year Lake Tahoe or any other surface water source. gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application
%positive samples/month:Percentage of SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT AND ITS AVAILABILITY and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, can be naturally
samples taken monthly that were The District has an ongoing drinking water source development occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining
positive
program to seek additional drinking water well locations. Due to activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the
killed or inactivated:Percentage of the volume of the average annual Sierra snow pack and Lake
viruses/bacteria killed or inactivated by g p United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the
treatment method Tahoe itself, our aquifer has a significant recharge capability. State Dept. of Health Services (DHS) prescribe regulations that
CFU/ml:Colony Forming Units per milliliter The District continues to work diligently to protect and maintain limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by
NA:Not Applicable this precious natural resource. public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
ND: Not Detected WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water
NR: Not Required, but recommended DRINKING WATER? Drinking water, including bottled which must provide the same protection for public health.
WATER QUALITY DATA TABLE CONTAMINANTS MCLG/PHG MCL OR AVG RANGE SAMPLE VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE
OR MRDLG MRDL LOW HIGH DATE
The table to the right lists all of the OR NL
drinking water contaminants that we INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
detected that are applicable for the Arsenic(ppb) 0 50 5.5 ND 17.2 2005 No Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff
calendar year of this report.The from orchards; Runoff from glass and
presence of contaminants in the electronics production wastes
water does not necessarily indicate Fluoride(ppm) 1 2 0.127 ND 0.42 2005 No Erosion of natural deposits;Water
additive which promotes strong teeth;
that the water poses a health risk. Discharge from fertilizer and
Unless otherwise noted,the data aluminum factories
presented in this table is from testing Nitrate[measured as Nitrogen](ppm) 10 10 0.30 0.02 0.91 2005 No Runoff from fertilizer use;Leaching
done in the calendar year of the from septic tanks,sewage; Erosion of
report. The EPA or the State natural deposits
requires us to monitor for certain Sodium(optional)(ppb) NA MPL 12.6 4.3 28.1 2005 No Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching
contaminants less than once per RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS
year because the concentrations of Uranium(ug/L) 0 30 4.61 ND 14.3 2005 No Erosion of natural deposits
these contaminants do not change
frequently. VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
MTBE[Methyl Tert Butyl Ether](ppb) 5 13 ND ND 0.33 2005 No Leaking underground fuel storage tanks
TTHMs[Total Trihalomethanes](ppb) NA 80 ND ND 5.0 2005 No Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
Turbidity(NTU)The TT limit is 5 NTU for the 2005 No Soil runoff
highest single measurement.Your water was 0.55.
MCLG/PHG AL AVG SAMPLE #SAMPLES EXCEEDS AL TYPICAL SOURCE
DATE EXCEEDING AL
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Lead-action level at consumer taps(ppb) 0 15 6.3 2002 1 No Corosion of household plumbing systems;
Erosion of natural deposits
Copper-action level at consumer taps(ppb) 1.3 1.3 0.48 2002 4 No Internal corrosian of household plumbing
systems;erosion of natural deposits;
leaching from wood preservatives
ADDITIONAL CONTAMINANTS CONTAMINANT STATE MCL AVG VIOLATION EXPLANATION AND COMMENT
In an effort to insure the safest water Acetylaldehyde NA 1.2 ug/L No By-product of MTBE treatment
possible the State has required us to
monitor some contaminants not Alkalinity,Total NA 50 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
required by Federal regulations. Of Bromide NA 0.016 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
those contaminants only the ones Calcium NA 11 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
listed to the right were found in your
water. Carbon Dioxide, Free NA 14.7 mg/L No Naturally occuring
Chlorine Residual, Free 4 mg/L 0.46 mg/L No Byproduct of disinfection process
Dissolved Solids,Total 500 mg/L 98 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Electrical Conductivity NA 149 No Erosion of natural deposits
Formaldehyde NA 20.4 ug/L No Byproduct of MTBE treatment
Glyoxal NA 1.16 ug/L No Byproduct of MTBE treatment
Gross Alpha NA 1.9 pCi/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Hardness NA 41.5 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Iron NA 114 ug/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Magnesium NA 2.3 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Organic Carbon,Total NA 0.72 mg/L No
ortho-Phosphate,as P NA 0.04 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
pH NA 8.05 Units No Erosion of natural deposits
Phosphorus,Total NA 0.04 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Potassium NA 1.3 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Radon NA 1,200 pCi/L No
Sulfate NA 3.67 mg/L No Erosion of natural deposits
Zinc 5000 ug/L 13.1 ug/L No Erosion of natural deposits
IMPORTANT DRINKING WATER HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?The information contained in through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up
DEFINITIONS the Consumer Confidence Report may not answer all the to high levels in all types of homes. Radon can also get into
MCLG:Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: questionsyou mayhave about the qualityof the South Tahoe
The level of a contaminant in drinking indoor air when released from tap water from showering,
water below which there is no known Public Utility District's drinking water supply. The District washing dishes, and other household activities. Compared to
or expected risk to health.MCLGs welcomes public participation in developing water quality and
allow for a margin of safety. radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home
MCL:Maximum Contaminant Level:The quantity policy. For more information, please call the District through tap water will, in most cases, be a small source of
highest level of a contaminant that is Information Office at 530-544-6474 extension 6208. If you
allowed in drinking water.MCLs are set would like more detailed scientific information, please call the radon in indoor air. Radon is a known human carcinogen.
as close to the MCLGs as feasible Breathing air containing radon can lead to lung cancer.
using the best available treatment District Laboratory at 530-544-6474 extension 6231, or check
technology. our website at www.stpud.us Drinking water containing radon may also cause increased risk
PDWS:Primary Drinking Water Standards: of stomach cancer. If you are concerned about radon in your
MCLs along for contaminants
theira monitoring an
d affect health The District is governed by an elected five member Board of home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive and easy.
reporting requirements,and water Directors. Board meetings are held on the first and third Fix your home if the level of radon in your air is 4 picocuries per
treatment requirements. Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Customer Service liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. There are simple ways to fix a
AL:Action Level:The concentration of a Facility located at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive. All meetings are
contaminant which, if exceeded, open to thepublic and the District encourages our customers to radon problem that aren't too costly. For additional information,
triggers treatment or other requirements p g callyour state radon program or call EPA's Radon Hotline (800-
PHG: a water system must follow. attend and become involved in the policy making process. P 9
Primary mi Health Goal:n The level l WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM Water is a precious SOS RADON.
contaminant in drinking water below
below which there is no known or and expensive resource in the Sierra. Due to the high cost of RESULTS OF VOLUNTARY MONITORING See data sheets.
expecby ttheted rsk to California health. PHGs Enviironmental are set producing water that meets California's stringent drinking water
Protection Agency. standards for landscape irrigation use, it is very important we ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ARSENIC While your
MRDLG:Maximum Residual Disinfection irrigate in an efficient manner. For that reason, the following drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain
Level Goal:The level of a drinking designated irrigation days have been established: low levels of naturally occurring arsenic. EPA's standard
water dknown
or exntpected
ct below which there is g g y balances the current understandingof arsenic's possible health
no known or expected risk to health. • Even numbered addresses water Monday-Wednesday-Friday
theM use do not reflect the benefits of • Odd numbered street addresses water Sunday-Tuesday-Thursdayeffects a ainst the costs of removingarsenic from drinkingwater.
the use of disinfectants to control g
microbial contaminants. • No landscape irrigation on Saturday-it's our peak demand day EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of
MRDL:Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: For additional information, specific questions,or to obtain a copy arsenic which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at
The highest level of a disinfectant of the Water Conservation ram Proplease call the Customer
allowed in drinking water.There is 9 high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as
convincing evidence that addition of a Service Department at 530-5446474. skin damage and circulatory problems. Some people who drink
disinfectant is necessary for control of
microbial contaminants. RESULTS OF RADON MONITORING Radon is a radioactive water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years
MNR:Monitored Not Regulated gas that you can't see, taste or smell. It is found throughout the could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory
MPL:Maximum Permissible Level as U.S. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
determined by the state of California