The following glossary of definitions will help you understand the terms and abbreviations used in this report.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL):
The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in
drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technol-
ogically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
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 are set by the USEPA.
Public Health Goal (PHG):
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.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL):
The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer’s tap.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG):
The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs are set by the USEPA.
Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS):
The MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.
Treatment Technique (TT):
A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Regulatory Action Level:
The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. The adjacent table lists data on the levels of regulated contaminants that were detected in our water supply from January 1 through December 31, 2012. The presence of these contaminants in the drinking water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.
THE FOUR TERMS TO EXAMINE
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Primary Standards |
| Mandatory Health-Related Standards that may cause health problems in drinking water. | |
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Secondary Standards |
| Aesthetic Standards (non health-related) that could cause odor, taste, or appearance problems in drinking water. | |
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Unregulated Parameters |
| Information about contaminants that are monitored but are not currently regulated by federal and state health agencies. | |
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Additional Parameters |
| Information that may also be of interest to our customers. |