2010 IMPORTANT DRINKING WATER HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?The information contained in the call your state radon program or call EPA's Radon Hotline
DEFINITIONS
IL,
:::
MCLG:Maximum Contaminant Level Goal:The Consumer Confidence Report may not answer all the questions you (800-SOS-RADON).
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level of a contaminant in drinking water may have about the quality of the South Tahoe Public Utility District's RESULTS OF VOLUNTARY MONITORING See data sheets.
below which there is no known or
expected risk to health.MCLGs allow for drinking water supply.The District welcomes public participation in
a margin of safely. developing water quality and quantity policy. For more information, REGARDING ARSENIC Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance
MCL:Maximum Contaminant Level:The highest please call the District Information Office at 530-544-6474 extension that is sometimes found at very low levels in drinking water, primarily
level of a contaminant that is allowed in
drinking water.MCLs are set as close to 6208. If you would like more detailed scientific information, please call groundwater.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)was
availablethe MCLGs
treatment as feasiblec usingo the best the District Laboratoryat 530-544-6474 extension 6231,or check our required bythe Safe DrinkingWater Act Amendments of 1996 to
technology. q
PDWS:Primary Drinking Water Standards: website at www.stpud.us finalize a new drinking water standard for arsenic in 2001 based on
MCLs for contaminants that affect health
along with their monitoring and reporting The District is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors. good scientific information and data.
requirements,and water treatment
requirements. Board meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of each month In September 2001, EPA adopted a new arsenic standard,or
AL:Action Level:The concentration of a at 2:00 p.m. at the Customer Service Facility located at 1275 Meadow maximum contaminant level (MCL),of 0.010 milligrams per liter or 10
contaminant which,if exceeded,triggers
treatment or other requirements which a Crest Drive. All meetings are open to the public and the District parts per billion (PPB).This new standard went into effect on January
water system must follow. encourages our customers to attend and become involved in the policy 23, 2006.Water utilities were not immediately declared out of
PHG:Primary Health Goal:The level of makingprocess.
contaminant in drinking water below p compliance or in violation of the new standard.The federal regulation
below which there is no known or requires that water systems monitor for arsenic Burin the first 1 3 years
expected risk to health.PHGs are set by RESULTS OF RADON MONITORING Radon is a radioactive gas q Y 9
the California Environmental Protection thatyou can't see, taste or smell. It is found throughout the U.S. Radon to determine their official compliance levels.The District completed that
Agency. g
MRDLG:Maximum Residual Disinfection Level can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and monitoring in 2008.
Goal:The level of a drinking water holes in the foundation. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of
disinfectant below which there is no Since the California Department of Public Health (DPH) remains at the
known or expected risk to health. homes. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap prior MCL of 50 PPB,the federal standard of 10 PPB is in effect in
MRuse of disinfectantss do not reflectto the benefitsic i the water from showering,washingdishes,and other household activities.
use of control microbial g California. DPH is helping EPA to implement the federal standard, but
contaminants. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the
MRDL:Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: EPA is in charge of enforcing it.When California finalizes its standard,
The highest level of a disinfectant allowed home through tap water will, in most cases, be a small source of radon DPH will resume enforcement duties as well.
in drinking water.There is convincing in indoor air. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air
evidence that necessary for control of micion of a robial
is containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing Of the District's fourteen active drinking water wells, two exceeded the
contaminants. radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. If you are new standard. Of those two wells, one has been disconnected from the
MNR:Monitored Not Regulated concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home.Testing water distribution system, but could be placed into service in the event
MPL:Maximum Permissible Level as determined is inexpensive and easy. Fixyour home if the level of radon inyour air of an emergency, such as wildfire. On the remainingwell, a DPH-
isby the state of California p
4 picocuries per liter of air(pCi/L)or higher.There are simple ways approved treatment facility has been operational since October 2009.
to fix a radon problem that aren't too costly. For additional information, The District is in full compliance with both state and federal standards.
SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC Presorted
UTILITY DISTRICT standard Mail
1275 Meadow Crest Drive Mailed Postage Paid
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 from Zip
Code 92899
Permit 1t146
FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE CONTACT:
Dennis Cocking,
District Information Officer
Phone 530-544-6474
Fax 530-541-0614
Email dcocking@stpud.dst.ca.us
Website www.stpud.us
CONSUMER
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UNIT DESCRIPTIONS IS MY WATER SAFE?Last year,as in years past,your tap water met WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY DRINKING
ug/L:Parts per billion all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and state drinking water WATER? Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be
mg/L:Number of milligrams of substance in one health standards.The South Tahoe Public Utility District vigilantly expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.The
liter of water
ppm:Parts per million,or milligrams per liter safeguards its water supplies and, once again,we are proud to report presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses
(mg/L) that our system has not violated a maximum contaminant level or any a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health
ppb:Parts per billion,or micrograms per liter other water quality standard. effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection
(Ng/0 Agency's(EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline(1-800-426-4791). The
ppt:Parts per trillion,or nanograms per liter DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?Some people
sources of drinking water(both tap water and bottled water) include
ppq:Parts per quadrillion,or picograms per liter may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the
pCi/L:Picocuries per liter(a measure of rivers, lakes,streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs,and wells.As water
radioactivity) general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves
mrem/yr:Millirems per year(a measure of cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material,
radiation absorbed by the body) transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders,
and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or
MFL:Million Fibers per Liter,used to measure
asbestos concentration some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. from human activity. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and
NTU:Nephelometric Turbidity Units.Turbidity is a These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,
measure of the cloudiness of the water. careproviders. EPA Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on
We monitor it because it is a good / agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants,
indicator of the effectiveness of our appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium such as salts and metals,can be naturally occurring or result from urban
filtration system.
positive samples/month:The number of samples and other microbial contaminants are available from the USEPA's Safe stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil
taken monthly that were found to be Water Drinking Hotline (1-800-426-4791). and gas production, mining,or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, may
positive
positive samples/yr:The number of positive WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM?The District's service come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater
samples taken that year area is organized into 16 pressure zones serving over 2.4 billion runoff, and residential uses. Organic Chemical Contaminants, including
positive samples/month:Percentage of synthetic and volatile organic chemicals,are by-products of industrial
samples taken monthly that were positive gallons annually from 14 active drinking water wells to nearly 14,000 y g y p
killed or inactivated:Percentage of homes and businesses. All our drinking water is pumped from processes and petroleum production,and can also come from gas
viruses/bacteria killed or inactivated by stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application and septic
treatment method underground aquifers. No water is taken from Lake Tahoe or any other
systems. Radioactive contaminants, can be naturally occurring or be the
CFU/ml:Colony Forming Units per milliliter surface water source.
NA:Not Applicable result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure
ND:Not Detected SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT AND ITS AVAILABILITY that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental
NR:Not Required,but recommended The District has an ongoing drinking water source development Protection Agency(USEPA) and the California Department of Public
program to seek potential drinking water well locations. Due to the Health (DPH) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain
volume of the average annual Sierra snowpack and Lake Tahoe itself, contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug
our aquifer has a significant recharge capability.The District continues Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in
to work diligently to protect and maintain this precious natural resource. bottled water 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 drinking OR NL
water contaminants that we detected that are INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
applicable for the calendar year of this report.
The presence of contaminants in the water Aluminum(ppb) 600 1,000 20 ND 21 2010 No
does not necessarily indicate that the water Arsenic(ppb) 0.004 10 3.6 ND 9.0 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits;Runoff from orchards;
poses a health risk.Unless otherwise noted, Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes
the data presented in this table is from testing
done in the calendar year of the report.The Barium(ppb) 2,000 1,000 10 ND 33 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
EPA or the State requires us to monitor for Chromium(ppb) 50 1.1 ND 1.4 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
certain contaminants less than once per year
because the concentrations of these Fluoride(ppm) 1 2 0.08 ND 0.22 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits;Water additive which
contaminants do not change frequently. promotes strong teeth;Discharge from fertilizer and
aluminum factories
Nitrate[measured as Nitrogen](ppm) 10 10 0.26 0.03 0.90 2010 No Runoff from fertilizer use;Leaching from septic tanks,
sewage;Erosion of natural deposits
Sodium(optional)(ppb) NA MPL 1 1.8 4.4 25.0 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits;Leaching
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS
Gross Alpha IpCi/Ll,minus Uranium 15 1.92 0.24 5.13 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
Uranium(pCi/L) 0.5 20 5.05 1.38 12.9 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
Radium-226 IpCi/LI 0.05 0.27 0.02 0.93 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
Radium-228 IpCi/LI 0.019 1.03 0.44 1.97 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
Radiurrr226+Radium-228 5 1.30 0.70 1.99 2010 No Erosion of natural deposits
VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
MTBE[Methyl Teri Butyl Ether](ppb) 5 13 ND ND 0.37 2010 No Leaking underground fuel storage tanks
TTHMs[Total Trihalomethanes](ppb) NA 80 1.6 ND 4.3 2010 No Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
HaloAcetic Acids NA 60 0.3 ND 1.4 2010 No Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
Total Coliforms 1%Positive each month) 5 0 0 0 2010 No
E.Coli(%Positive) 0 0 0 0 2010 No
Heterotrophic Plate Count or HPC(CFU) NA 0.7 ND 22.3 2010 No
Turbidity(NTU)The Turbidity limit for the 5 0.26 0.02 0.73 2010 Soil runoff
highest single measurement.
ADDITIONAL CONTAMINANTS INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCLG/PHG AL 90TH SAMPLE #SAMPLES EXCEEDS TYPICAL SOURCE
PERCENTILE DATE EXCEEDING AL AL
In an effort to insure the safest water
the State has required us to Lead-action level at consumer taps(ppb) ND 15 ND 2008 0 No Corosion of household plumbing systems;Erosion of
possibleq natural deposits
monitor some contaminants not required
by Federal regulations.Of those Copper-action level at consumer taps(ppb) ND 1,300 110 2008 0 No Internal corrosian of household plumbing systems;
contaminants onlythe ones listed to the erosian of natural deposits;leaching from wood
preservatives
right were found in your water.
CONTAMINANT STATE MCL AVG VIOLATION SAMPLE EXPLANATION AND COMMENT
DATE
Alkalinity,Total(ppm) NA 52.1 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Bromide(ppm) NA 0.014 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Calcium(ppm) NA 12.4 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Carbon Dioxide,Free(ppm) NA 6.9 mg/L No 2010 Naturally occuring
Chloride(ppm) 500 8.4 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Chlorine,Free(ppm) 4 mg/L 0.48 mg/L No 2010 Byproduct of disinfection process
Color(Units) 15 ND No 2010 Naturally occurring organic materials
Copper(ppm) NA 4 No 2010
Dissolved Solids,Total(ppm) 1,000 mg/L 95 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Electrical Conductance lumhos/cml 1,600 142 No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Hardness(ppm) NA 41.9 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Iron 1ppbl 300 21 ug/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Magnesium(ppm) NA 2.47 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Manganese(ppm 50 3 No 2010
Odor-Threshold(Units) 3 1 No 2010 Naturally occurring organic materials
Organic Carbon,Total(ppm) NA 0.32 mg/L No 2010
ortho-Phosphate,as P(ppm) NA 0.034 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Phosphorus,Total(ppm) NA 0.045 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
pH NA 7.95 Units No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Potassium(ppm) NA 1.37 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Radon pCi/L) NA 981 pCi/L No 2010
Sulfate(ppm) 500 3.68 mg/L No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Temperature-System(°F) NA 50° No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Vanadium(ppb) NA 3.6 No 2010 Erosion of natural deposits
Zinc(ppb) 5,000 ND No 2010