M5.4 Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and Water Quality

I live in Pinole, and the water system company that serves the area is the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). Most of the water that reaches the area comes from the Mokelumne River watershed on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This water is then treated at a water treatment plant (WTP) in Orinda, although it could also be treated in a WTP in El Sobrante in case of unmet needs in the area. The quality of the water that we get in Pinole is excellent overall. Of the maximum contaminant levels (MCL) regulated for public health, only haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes exceeded the maximum levels allowed. None of the MCLs regulated for aesthetics were above the maximum levels allowed. None of the unregulated contaminants' levels exceeded those that would require a state notification. I have to say that, one of the things that surprised me about the water in my community is that it's in excellent quality. It might be because I'm so used to receiving bad news in this class now! Another thing that surprised me is the high pH of 9-9.4. I thought that water was supposed to be neutral, and thus would have a pH of 7. A pH of 9-9.4 makes this water very basic.

The full report can be found here.


Comments

  1. Sandy TanSeptember 26, 2018 at 4:41 PM

    Hi Hugo,
    I find it funny that you are surprised that your community's water is good quality, but it is true the information we are learning in class makes us think otherwise. Great observation about the pH level of your water. Do you think your water taste a bit off compared to other areas?

    ReplyDelete
  2. USF MPH ClassSeptember 27, 2018 at 11:30 AM

    Haha, that is too good. I too thought the water would be bad as well. I also get water from the EBMUD plant. I think this is why bottled water has such a strong hold on the public. Everyone thinks the water is worse, when in fact it is better. Dan

    ReplyDelete

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