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. U.S. EPA/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 www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/index.html.
Fluoride.
The City of Santa Ana receives approximately 23 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 ppm. Water provided by MWD has been adjusted to the optimal level for dental health of 0.7 to 0.8 parts per million. 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://www.bit.ly/ MWD_flouride or visit bit.ly/ADA_flouride.
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. If you live in an older house that has copper piping with lead solder, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure. When your water has been sitting for several hours in the pipes, simply flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you do so, consider collecting 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 are available from the U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or at epa.gov/lead.
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.