Cryptosporidium.
Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the U.S. To date, cryptosporidium has not been detected in our water supply. USEPA/CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800- 426-4791. For more information, visit cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/index.html.
Fluoride.
The City of Santa Ana receives approximately 30 percent of its water supply from MWD. Beginning in October 2007, MWD joined a majority of the nation’s public water suppliers in adding fluoride to the treated water it supplies to state water agencies, a plan approved by the CDC and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Santa Ana’s well water has a naturally occurring fluoride range level of 0.18 to 0.5 parts per million (ppm). Water provided by MWD has been adjusted to the optimal level for dental health of 0.7 to 0.8 ppm. Additional information may be found by calling MWD’s Water Quality Information Hotline at 800-354-4420. You can also download MWD’s fact sheet at http://bit.ly/MWDFluoridation or visit ada.org/fluoride.aspx.
Hexavalent Chromium.
Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, can be present in water due to natural geologic conditions or from industrial pollution. Long-term exposure to the metal may cause cancer.
California became the first state in the nation to issue a drinking water standard for chromium-6 when it set the MCL at 10 parts per billion (ppb) in 2014. However, a 2017 court ruling concluded compliance with the MCL was not economically feasible.
California’s State Water Board is working on adopting a new MCL. Meanwhile, the state MCL for total chromium of 50 ppb will remain in place. Total chromium measures both trivalent and hexavalent chromium in water together and does not indicate how much of either type exists. Trivalent chromium is not considered toxic and is an essential nutrient in trace amounts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s MCL for total chromium is 100 ppb.
Lead.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Santa Ana is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you do so, you may wish to collect the flushed water and reuse it for another beneficial purpose, such as watering plants. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at epa.gov/lead.
Nitrate.
Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 mg/L is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. Such nitrate levels in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of the infant’s blood to carry oxygen, resulting in a serious illness. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L may also affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen in other individuals, such as pregnant women and those with certain specific enzyme deficiencies. If you are caring for an infant, or you are pregnant, you should ask advice from your health care provider.
Perchlorate.
Perchlorate has been shown to interfere with uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland, and to thereby reduce the production of thyroid hormones, leading to adverse effects associated with inadequate hormone levels. Thyroid hormones are needed for normal prenatal growth and development of the fetus, as well as for normal growth and development in the infant and child. In adults, thyroid hormones are needed for normal metabolism and mental function.
Radon.
Radon is a radioactive gas that you can’t see, taste, or smell. It is found throughout the U.S. Radon can move through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up in high levels in all types of homes. Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home through tap water will in most cases be a small source of radon in indoor air. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. If you are concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive and easy. Fix your home if the level of radon in your air is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren’t too costly. For additional information, call the California radon program at 800-745-7236, the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline at 800-426-4791 or the National Safety Council Radon Hotline at 800-767-7236.