2012 South Tahoe Public Utility District
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT 2012
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IS MY WATER SAFE? Last year, as in years past, by requesting a copy by calling Customer Service products of industrial processes and petroleum Radon can also get into indoor air when released
your tap water met all U.S. Environmental at 530-544-6474. production, and can also come from gas stations, from tap water from showering,washing dishes,
Protection Agency(EPA)and state drinking water The District has an ongoing drinking water urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application and other household activities. Compared to radon
health standards. The South Tahoe Public Utility source development program that seeks potential and septic systems. Radioactive contaminants, can entering the home through soil, radon entering the
District vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and, drinking water well locations. Due to the volume of be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and home through tap water will, in most cases, be a
once again, we are proud to report that our the average annual Sierra snowpack and Lake gas production and mining activities. In order to small source of radon in indoor air. Radon is a
system has not violated a maximum contaminant Tahoe itself, our aquifer has a significant recharge ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United
level or any other water quality standard. capability. The District continues to work diligently States Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) known human carcinogen. Breathing air containing
to protect and maintain this precious natural and the California Department of Public Health radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water
DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS? resource. p containing radon may also cause increased risk of
(DPH) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of
Some people may be more vulnerable to stomach cancer. If you are concerned about radon
contaminants in drinking water than the general WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY certain contaminants in water provided by public
population. Immuno-compromised persons such as DRINKING WATER?Drinking water, including
water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is
regulations establish limits for contaminants in inexpensive and easy. Fix your home if the level of
persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, bottled water, may reasonably be expected to
bottled water which must provide the same radon in your air is 4 picocuries per liter of air
persons who have undergone organ transplants, contain at least small amounts of some
people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system contaminants.The presence of contaminants does protection for public health. (pCi/L)or higher. There are simple ways to fix a
disorders, some elderly, and infants can be not necessarily indicate that water poses a health HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?The information radon problem that aren't too costly. For additional
particularly at risk from infections. These people risk. More information about contaminants and contained in the Consumer Confidence Report may information, call your state radon program or call
should seek advice about drinking water from their potential health effects can be obtained by calling not answer all the questions you may have about EPA's Radon Hotline(800-SOS-RADON).
health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease the Environmental Protection Agency's(EPA) Safe the quality of the South Tahoe Public Utility District's
Control (CDC)guidelines on appropriate means to Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). The drinking water supply. The District welcomes public RESULTS OF VOLUNTARY MONITORING See
lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and sources of drinking water(both tap water and participation in developing water quality and data sheets.
other microbial contaminants are available from bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, quantity policy. If you would like more detailed REGARDING ARSENIC Arsenic is a naturally
the USEPA's Safe Water Drinking Hotline reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over scientific information, please call the District occurring substance that is sometimes found at very
(1-800-426-4791). the surface of the land or through the ground, it Laboratory at 530-544-6474 extension 6231, or low levels in drinking water, primarily groundwater.
WHERE DOES MY WATER COME FROM?The dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some check our website at www.stpud.us.
cases, radioactive material, and can pick up The District isgoverned byan elected five The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)
District's service area is organized into 23 pressure was required bythe Safe DrinkingWater Act
zones serving over 2.5 billion gallons annually substances resulting from the presence of animals member Board of Directors. Board meetings are q
from 16 active drinking water wells to nearly or from human activity. Microbial contaminants, Amendments of 1996 to finalize a new drinking
held on the first and third Thursday of each month
14,000 homes and businesses. All our drinking such as viruses and bacteria, may come from at 2 p.m. at the Customer Service Facility located water standard for arsenic in 2001 based on
sewage treatment plants, septic systems, good scientific information and data.
water is pumped from underground aquifers. No at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive. All meetings are
agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
water is taken from Lake Tahoe or any other open to the public and the District encourages our Of the District's 16 active drinking water wells,
surface water source. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, customers to attend and become involved in the two exceeded the new standard. Of those two
can be naturally occurring or result from urban policy making process. wells, one has been disconnected from the water
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT AND stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic
PROTECTION The District's Groundwater wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, RESULTS OF RADON MONITORING Radon is a distribution system, but could be placed into
Management Plan (California Water Code Section mining, or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, may radioactive gas that you can't see, taste or smell. It service in the event of an emergency, such as
10750)was adopted on December 21, 2000 come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, is found throughout the U.S. Radon can move up wildfire. On the remaining well, a DPH-approved
and is on file with the California Department of urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. through the ground and into a home through treatment facility has been operational since
Public Health (CDPH). You may view the document Organic Chemical Contaminants, including cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can October 2009. The District is in full compliance
by visiting the District's website at www.stpud.us or synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, are by- build up to high levels in all types of homes. with both state and federal standards.
SPANISH(ESPANOL)Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre la calidad de su agua beber.Traduscalo o hable con alguien que to entienda bien.
WATER QUALITY DATA TABLE The table to the the data presented in this table is from testing done ADDITIONAL CONTAMINANTS In an effort to insure IMPORTANT DRINKING WATER
right lists all of the drinking water contaminants that in the calendar year of the report. The EPA or the the safest water possible the State has required us to DEFINITIONS
we detected that are applicable for the calendar State requires us to monitor for certain monitor some contaminants not required by Federal MCLG: Maximum Contaminant
year of this report. The presence of contaminants in contaminants less than once per year because the regulations. Of those contaminants only the ones listed Level Goal:The level of a
the water does not necessarily indicate that the concentrations of these contaminants do not on the last page under"Additional Contaminants"were contaminant in drinking water
water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, change frequently. found in your water. below which there is no known
or expected risk to health.
MCLGs allow for a margin of
CONTAMINANTS MCLG/PHG MCL OR MRDL AVERAGE MIN MAX SAMPLE DATE VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE safety.
OR MRDLG OR NL
MCL:Maximum Contaminant
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS Level:The highest level of a
Arsenic(ppb) 0.004 10 3.5 ND 7.5 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits;Runoff contaminant that is allowed in
from orchards;Runoff from glass and drinking water. MCLs are set as
electronics production wastes close to the MCLGs as feasible
using the best available treatment
Fluoride(ppm) 1 2 0.12 ND 0.30 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits;Water technology.
additive which promotes strong teeth;
Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum PDWS: Primary Drinking Water
factories Standards: MCLs for
contaminants that affect health
Nitrate[measured as Nitrogen](ppm) 10 10 0.27 0.03 0.90 2012 No Runoff from fertilizer use;Leaching from along with their monitoring and
septic tanks,sewage;Erosion of natural reporting requirements, and
deposits water treatment requirements.
Sodium(ppm) NA MPL 11.1 4.29 25.2 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits;Leaching AL:Action Level:The
RADIONUCLIIDES concentration of a contaminant
which, if exceeded, triggers
Gross Alpha(pCi/L),minus Uranium 15 2.77 0.41 7.92 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits treatment or other requirements
Uranium(pCi/L) 0.43 20 4.28 0.56 9.26 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits which a water system must
follow.
Radium-226(pCi/L) 0.05 0.79 0.14 1.76 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits PHG: Primary Health Goal:The
Radium-228(pCi/L) 0.019 1.29 ND 1.99 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits level of contaminant in drinking
water below below which there
Radium-226+Radium-228 5 2.08 1.27 3.73 2012 No Erosion of natural deposits is no known or expected risk to
VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS health. PHGs are set by the
California Environmental
MTBE[Methyl Tert Butyl Ether](ppb) 5 13 ND ND 0.4 2012 No Leaking underground fuel storage tanks Protection Agency.
1,2,DCA 0.4 0.5 ND ND 0.7 2012 No MRDLG:Maximum Residual
Total Trihalomethanes(ppb) NA 80 1.9 ND 16.0 2012 No Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Disinfection Level Goal:The level
of a drinking water disinfectant
HaloAcetic Acids NA 60 0.2 ND 2.4 2012 No Byproduct of drinking water disinfection below which there is no known
or expected risk to health.
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS MRDLGs do not reflect the
Total Coliforms(%Positive each month( 5 0 0 0 2012 No Naturally present in environment benefits of the use of disinfectants
to control microbial contaminants.
E.Coli 1%Positive) 0 0 0 0 2012 No Human and animal fecal matter
MRDL:Maximum Residual
Heterotrophic Plate Count or HPC(CFU) NA 0.2 ND 0.4 2012 No NA Disinfectant Level:The highest
Turbidity(NTU)The Turbidity limit for the 7 5 0.14 0.02 0.49 2012 No Soil runoff level of a disinfectant allowed in
highest single measurement. drinking water. There is
convincing evidence that
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS MCLG/PHG AL 90TH PERCENTILE SAMPLE DATE #SAMPLES EXCEEDS AL TYPICAL SOURCE addition of a disinfectant is
EXCEEDING AL necessary for control of microbial
Lead-action level at consumer taps(ppb) ND 15 ND 2011 0 No Corosion of household plumbing systems; contaminants.
Erosion of natural deposits MNR: Monitored Not Regulated
Copper-action level at consumer taps(ppb) ND 1,300 634 2011 0 No Internal corrosion of household plumbing MPL: Maximum Permissible Level
systems;erosion of natural deposits; as determined by the state of
leaching from wood preservatives California
UNIT DESCRIPTIONS
ADDITIONAL CONTAMINANTS UNITS STATE MCL AVERAGE VIOLATION SAMPLE DATE EXPLANATION AND COMMENT
pg/L: Micrograms per Liter, or
Alkalinity,Total ppm NA 52.7 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits parts per billion
mg/L: Number of milligrams of
Aluminum ppm 1,000 ND No 2011 Erosion of natural deposits substance in one liter of
Barium ppm 2,000 10.0 No 2011 Erosion of natural deposits water
ppm: Parts per million, or
Bromide ppm NA 0.014 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits milligrams per Liter(mg/L)
Calcium ppm NA 11.8 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits ppb: Parts per billion, or
micrograms per Liter(pg/L)
Carbon Dioxide,Free ppm NA 6.1 No 2012 Naturally occuring ppt: Parts per trillion, or
nanograms per Liter
Chloride ppm 500 9.0 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits
ppq: Parts per quadrillion, or
Chlorine,Free ppm 4.0 0.71 No 2012 By-product of disinfection process picograms per Liter
pCi/L: Picocuries per Liter(a
Chromium 6 ppb NA 0.53 No 2011 Erosion of natural deposits measure of radioactivity)
Color Units 15 5 No 2012 Naturally occurring organic materials mrem/yr:Millirems per year(a
measure of radiation
Copper ppm NA ND No 2012 Old plumbing/erosion of natural deposits absorbed by the body)
Dissolved Solids,Total ppm 1,000 97.0 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits MFL:Million Fibers per Liter, used
to measure asbestos
Electrical Conductance umhos/cm 1,600 140 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits concentration
NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity
Hardness ppm NA 45.9 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits Units. Turbidity is a measure
Iron ppb 300 51.0 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits of the cloudiness of the water.
We monitor it because it is a
Lead ppb NA ND No 2012 Old plumbing/erosian of natural deposits good indicator of the
effectiveness of our filtration
Magnesium ppm NA 2.25 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits system.
positive samples/month:The
Manganese ppb 50.0 ND No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits number of samples taken
Odor-Threshold Units 3 1 No 2012 Naturally occurring organic materials monthly that were found to be
positive
Organic Carbon,Total ppm NA 0.31 No 2012 Naturally occurring organic materials positive samples/yr:The number
of positive samples taken that
ortho-Phosphate,as P ppm NA 0.039 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits year
Phosphorus,Total ppm NA 0.043 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits %positive samples/month:
Percentage of samples taken
pH Units NA 7.87 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits monthly that were positive
Potassium ppm NA 1.32 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits %killed or inactivated:
Percentage of
Radon pCi/L NA 431 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits viruses/bacteria killed or
inactivated by treatment
Silica ppm NA 27 No 2011 Erosion of natural deposits method
CFU/ml: Colony Forming Units
Sulfate ppm 500 3.29 No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits per milliliter
Temperature-System `F NA 49.5` No 2012 Erosion of natural deposits NA: Not Applicable
Vanadium ppb NA 3.4 No 2011 Erosion of natural deposits ND: Not Detected
NR: Not Required, but
Zinc ppb 5,000 11.3 No 2012 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits recommended