Watering the Lawn
Water
Watering The Lawn
Washing Face
Vegetables
Bath Tub
Water Glasses
H2O
Swimming Pool
Glass on Table
Working Together.
Achieving Results.

Water Quality Definitions

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 allow for a margin of safety. MCLGs are set by the EPA.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Primary Drinking Water Standard - Maximum levels of contaminants that may have an adverse effect on the health of persons; specific treatment techniques adopted in lieu of maximum contaminant levels; the monitoring and reporting requirements that pertain to maximum contaminant levels.

Secondary Drinking Water Standard - An aesthetic quality standard. May apply to any contaminant in drinking water that may adversely affect the odor or appearance of the water and may cause a substantial number of persons served to discontinue its use.

Public Health Goal - 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.

Action Level - The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers a treatment or other requirement that a water system must follow.

Aquifer - A geologic unit that can store and supply significant quantities of water in underground formations composed of rock, sand, fractures and gravel. Water is stored in the small spaces between the grains of sand, rock or in the fractures.

Ground Water - The water that is stored in aquifers. Extracted for use by wells.

Well - A bored hole drilled through a geologic formation into an aquifer. Used to extract water from the aquifer.

Surface Water - Water either flowing in an open channel like a river or creek, or confined in a lake.

Watershed - Large areas of land that drain into a particular river, lake, reservoir or aquifer.

Treatment Technique - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water Links to

Other Water Related Web Sites

California-Nevada Section, American Water Works Association

American Water Works Association Research Foundation

Association of California Water Agencies

United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of
Ground Water and Drinking Water

Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management

 

Regulation

All water utilities are regulated by the EPA and the DOHS. Investor-owned utilities are also regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC works in concert with DOHS to assure that high quality water is delivered to customers at the lowest possible cost. This dynamic relationship between CPUC and DOHS provides an extra layer of protection for consumers.

Safe Drinking Water Act
Recognizing a need to address water quality issues in the nation's drinking water supply, the EPA first passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1974 regulating 14 contaminants. The SDWA was amended in 1986, bringing the total regulated contaminants to 56, including man-made contaminants like VOCs and SOCs for the first time. This revision primarily targeted surface water systems. Again in 1996, the SDWA was amended with an emphasis on source water protection and ground water sources. By the time this revision has run its course, more than 100 contaminants will be regulated with an ambitious plan in place to monitor and detect emerging contamination threats.

EPA Proposes Ground Water Rule

EPA is proposing a rule which specifies the appropriate use of disinfection in ground water and addresses other components of ground water systems to assure public health protection.

The Ground Water Rule (GWR) establishes multiple barriers to protect against bacteria and viruses in drinking water from ground water sources and will establish a targeted strategy to identify ground water systems at high risk for fecal contamination.

The GWR is scheduled to be issued as a final regulation in November of 2000.

A copy of the Proposed Rule, a fact sheet and additional information are available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/gwr.html.

 

Current Events



CWA Spring Conference – June 7-9, 2010
    “California’s New Water World”
     The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento.


Presentations from CWA's Spring Conference – June 7-9, 2010





CWA’s 68th Annual Conference: "Utility Stewardship in Challenging Times"
     November 9-11, 2009
     Monterey Plaza Hotel

    Thanks to our conference sponsors:

       Allen Matkins
       CoBank
       Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
       Nossaman LLP

     CWA's Annual Conference Program




Presentations from CWA’s Annual Conference – November 9-10, 2009