SR - - PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS REPORT FOR YEARS 2013 2014 2015 FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY1. SUBJECT
Public Health Goals Report for Drinking Water Quality for the Years 2013, 2014, and 2015.
2. SUMMARY
The Public Health Goals Report for Years 2013, 2014, and 2015 presents information about the
presence of contaminants in the drinking water supply detected at levels above Public Health
Goals published by the State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment during calendar
years 2013, 2014, and 2015.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive and file.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
1. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S)
Provide for a safe community
b. Provide and maintain infrastructure necessary to ensure the safety of the public.
2. Be a fiscally healthy community
d. Effectively manage and develop City assets.
4. Provide outstanding public service
b. Provide facilities and services to meet customer expectations.
6. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Infrastructure Element Goal 6.0: Ensure water, sewer, and storm drain systems that meet the
needs of residents and businesses.
Policy 1.1: Provide sufficient levels of water, sewer, and storm drain service throughout the
community.
Economic Development Element Goal 6.0: Provide sufficient infrastructure to support
anticipated economic development and growth.
Policy 6.1: Provide public improvements to support commercial, industrial and institutional uses.
7. DISCUSSION and BACKGROUND
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California State Water
Resources Control Board (SWRCB), establishes very conservative water quality standards for
domestic drinking water systems. These standards are based on various risk - assessment factors
and are expressed in terms of an allowable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for every
regulated contaminant. The MCL is the regulatory definition of what is "safe ". The MCL's are
strictly enforced. Water agencies are required to take specific actions to notify consumers and to
mitigate the problem if an MCL is exceeded. The City of Orange water system consistently
meets all federal and state drinking water standards.
California also establishes Public Health Goals (PHG's) for drinking water systems. The federal
equivalent to PHG's are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG's). PHG's and
MCLG's are not enforceable standards. Water agencies are not required to take any actions
regarding them. These goals are not based on a comprehensive risk assessment analysis.
Instead, they are set to only represent a contaminant level that would result in either zero health
risk or no significant health risk for a lifetime of exposure. Determinations of health risks at
these low levels are frequently and theoretically based on risk assessments with many
assumptions.
California legislation requires water agencies to prepare a special report every three years if their
water exceeds any PHG or MCLG. The report must identify all contaminants in excess of a
PHG, the public health risks involved and a general estimate of the costs that would be involved
in removing the contaminants in order to meet the goals. The purpose of this report is to provide
consumers with additional information on the contaminant levels and to furnish information
about the cost to basically eliminate even small traces of contaminants from the water supply.
All of the water quality data collected in 2013, 2014 and 2015, for the purposes of determining
compliance with drinking water MCL standards, was considered for the purposes of this report.
The report was prepared by staff with data from sampling and testing provided by the
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MET) for all import water and results for
ground water was provided by the Orange County Water District (OCWD). This data is
summarized annually in the Consumer Confidence Report that is available to all customers every
year by July 1.
ITEM 7/12/16
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The City of Orange water system complies with all federal and state MCL standards. The City of
Orange water supply from wells and imported sources also meets all of the PHG and MCLG
standards with only four exceptions during the last three years.
PHG /MCLG Compliance Exceptions
During Calendar Years 2013, 2014 and 2015
Arsenic was detected in import water sources in 2013 and then again in 2015 and was also
detected in a single source water sample (well) in both 2013 and 2014 from not detected to
4.9 parts per billion (ppb). While the required MCL is 10 ppb, the PHG is 0.004 ppb and the
EPA MCLG is 0 (zero).
Gross (Total) Alpha Activity (Excluding Uranium) was detected in import water sources in
2013 and in two source water samples (wells) in 2014 from not detected to 4.88 pico Curies
per liter (pCi /L). While the required MCL is 15 pCi /L the EPA MCLG is 0 (zero). There is
no PHG for gross alpha activity.
(Natural) Uranium was detected in import water sources samples in all three years and source
water samples (wells) in 2013 and 2014, from not detected to 8.63 pico Curies per liter
(pCi /L). While the required MCL is 20 pCi /L, the PHG is 0.43 pCi /L and the EPA MCLG is
0 (zero).
Hexavalent Chromium was detected in a single source water sample (well) in 2013 from not
detected to 1.40 ppb. While the required MCL is 10 ppb, the PHG is 0.02 ppb. There is no
EPA MCLG for hexavalent chromium.
A relative cost estimate to treat all wells and import connections affected for the above
contaminants is projected at approximately $33 million to cover annualized capital and O &M
costs. The cost to treat just hexavalent chromium is estimated at approximately $6 million
annually as it was detected at only one specific location (well).
In conclusion, while the City of Orange water system continues to meet and comply with all
federal and state MCL standards to protect public health, for unregulated contaminates, there
have been only 4 exceptions where the PHG and MCLG guidelines were not met.
8. ATTACHMENTS
• June 2016 Report on Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals for Years 2013, 2014,
and 2015.
ITEM
7/12/16
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 12, 2016
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued)
11.3 Public Health Goals Report for Drinking Water Quality for the Years 2013, 2014, and
2015. (C2500.P)
Time set for a public hearing to receive the Public Health Goals Report for Years 2013,
2014, and 2015. The report explains, in plain language, information about the presence of
contaminants in the drinking water supply detected at levels above Public Health Goals
published by the State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment during calendar
years 2013, 2014, and 2015.
MOTION — Whitaker
SECOND — Murphy
AYES — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy
ABSENT — Nichols
In order to open the Public Hearing, Councilmember Whitaker withdrew his motion.
Mayor pro tem Murphy concurred and withdrew his second.
THE MAYOR OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING; AND THERE BEING NO
SPEAKERS, THE MAYOR CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOTION — Whitaker
SECOND — Murphy
AYES — Alvarez, Whitaker, Smith, Murphy
ABSENT — Nichols
Moved to receive and file report.
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