HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsumer Confidence Report - For calendar year 2016 (published in 2017)otaywater.gov
CONSUMER
Confidence Report
for Calendar Year 2016
PUBLISHED 2017
CONSUMER
Confidence Report
for Calendar Year 2016
GOVERNOR DECLARES END
TO STATEWIDE DROUGHT EMERGENCY
Due to exceptional water conservation and record-setting winter rain and snow,
Governor Edmund G. Brown formally declared the end of the drought emergency
on April 7, 2017.
San Diego region’s water supply reliability is stronger now than when the drought
began due to the efforts of San Diego County water ratepayers, which includes Otay’s
customers. Ratepayers have invested more than $3.5 billion over the past three
decades to advance the region’s drought resilience – for instance, with new
water storage capacity and new locally controlled, drought-proof water supplies
from the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
The county’s residents and businesses also beat the State’s emergency water-
use reduction mandates during 2015 and 2016, and they continue to use less water
than they did in 2013 even though drought conditions have ended. Since the State’s
conservation mandate began in June 2015, Otay customers have saved an average of 18
percent more water compared to 2013 water-use totals. Otay appreciates its customers
doing their part during the drought.
The State Water Resources Control Board will still require water districts to report urban
water use and prohibitions on wasteful practices. These wasteful practices include watering
during or after rainfall, hosing off sidewalks, and irrigating ornamental turf on public street
medians. Otay customers are encouraged to use the water they need, but not waste it.
Otay offers a range of water conservation resources for residents, businesses, homeowner’s
associations, and other organizations.
For details, visit otaywater.gov/conservation.
PUBLISHED 2017
YOUR CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
Otay Water District is pleased to provide you with your annual consumer confidence
report. This report presents a snapshot of last year’s (calendar year 2016) water quality
in Otay’s service area. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it
contains, and how it compares to state standards.
The information included in this water quality report represents only a small fraction
of what we do to ensure high-quality drinking water. Using one or more state-certified
laboratories, we routinely inspect and scrutinize the water supply for an entire range of
elements that have the potential to degrade the quality of your water. Only compounds
detected in water sources are included in this report.
As in years past, your tap water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board), Division of Drinking
Water’s health standards. The Otay Water District vigilantly safeguards its water
supplies and once again, we are proud to report that our system has never
exceeded a health-related maximum contaminant level or any other water
quality standard.
ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT
Otay Water District is a California special district established by the
State Legislature in 1956 as a public water service provider. Today,
the District delivers potable water to more than 223,000 customers
within 125.5 square miles of Southeastern San Diego County,
including the communities of Otay Mesa, Chula
Vista, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego,
and unincorporated areas.
The Otay Water District purchases 100 percent
of its treated water. Of that, about 85 percent is
imported, which is a blend from the Colorado River
and the California State Water Project. Fifteen
percent of Otay’s treated water comes from local
supplies, including local water storage within the
county and from the Pacific Ocean via seawater
desalination. The District purchases its treated
water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s R.A. Skinner
Treatment Plant, the San Diego County Water Authority’s Twin Oaks Valley Water
Treatment Plant, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, and from the Helix Water District’s
R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENTS
The sources of water delivered by the Otay Water District include the Colorado River,
the State Water Project, and local supplies. The agencies that supply treated drinking
water to the Otay Water District, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California, San Diego County Water Authority, and Helix Water District, are required to
perform source water assessments on their raw water supplies. If you would like copies
of the source water assessments, contact System Operations Manager Jake Vaclavek
at (619) 670-2230.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Otay Water District encourages public participation from the customers we serve. The
District’s Board of Directors generally meet on the first Wednesday of each month at
3:30 p.m. at the District headquarters located at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring
Valley, CA, 91978. We encourage the public to attend these meetings.
For directions, agendas, and additional information, please call (619) 670-2222 or visit
otaywater.gov.
SAFETY
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the USEPA
and the State Board prescribe regulations that limit
the amount of certain contaminants in water provided
by public water systems. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulations and California law
also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water
that must provide the same protection for public health.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably
be expected to contain at least small amounts of some
contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not
necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.
More information about contaminants and potential
health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA’s
Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791 or
visiting epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants
in drinking water than the general population.
Immunocompromised persons such as persons with
cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have
undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS
or other immune system disorders, some elderly,
and infants can be particularly at risk of infections.
These people should seek advice about drinking
water from their health care providers. USEPA and
the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) 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
1 (800) 426-4791.
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and
bottled water) include the oceans, rivers, lakes,
streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As
water travels over the surface of the land or through
the ground it dissolves naturally occurring minerals
and, in some cases, radioactive material. It can also
pick up substances resulting from the presence of
animals or from human activity.
otaywater.gov page 3
CONCERNS OVER LEAD
IN THE WATER SUPPLY
In 2014, high levels of lead were found in the water
supply in Flint, Michigan due to the leached lead from
service lines that carried water from Flint’s drinking
water system to more than 15,000 homes and
businesses in the city. Because of the lead problem
in Flint, Michigan, the concern of lead in the water
supply still lingers on for the public.
None of Otay’s 730 miles of water mains or service
lines are made of lead. In addition, Otay is required
by the USEPA to collect water samples from select
homes and to test that water under the USEPA’s Lead
and Copper Rule. In Otay’s service area, lead levels are
well below USEPA standards and 90 percent of water
samples showed lead levels below the detection limit
of five part per billion.
In January 2017, the State Board, in cooperation
with the California Department of Education (CDE),
required all public water systems to test public
schools (kindergarten through 12th grade) for lead
in their drinking water upon request by school
superintendents. Schools have until Nov. 1, 2019 to
make their requests. Sampling locations can include
drinking fountains, cafeteria and food preparation
areas, and reusable water bottle filling stations.
Otay Water District is responsible for the costs
associated with collecting drinking water samples,
sample analysis, review and reporting the results to
the schools and to the State. At or below 15 parts
per billion is considered safe for a water system. If a
school’s water system is tested at more than 15 parts
per billion, it is the responsibility of the school to take
corrective action.
If you would like to learn more about lead in drinking water,
visit the USEPA’s website at epa.gov/safewater/lead.
CONTAMINANTS THAT MAY BE PRESENT IN
SOURCE WATER
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria that may come from sewage
treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally occurring or
result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges,
oil and gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture,
urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals
that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also
come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application, septic
systems
• Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and
gas production and mining activities
CONTAMINANTS THAT MAY BE PRESENT IN HOME PLUMBING SYSTEMS
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 Otay Water
District 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 can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap
for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. 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 at 1 (800) 426-4791 or at
epa.gov/safewater/lead.
One Minute
in
1,902 Years
One Cent
in
10 Million Dollars
One Drop
in an
Olympic-Sized Swimming Pool
(160 feet in length and about six to nine feet in depth)
ONE PART PER BILLION (1 PPB)
IS EQUIVALENT TO:
otaywater.gov page 4
Otay Water District Board of Directors
Mark Robak, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Division 5
Tim Smith, Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Division 1
Mitch Thompson, Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Division 2
Gary Croucher, Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Division 3
Hector Gastelum, Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Division 4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Otay Water District appreciates your comments and
active participation. If you have questions about
the information contained in this report or testing
processes, please contact System Operations Manager
Jake Vaclavek at (619) 670-2230 or visit otaywater.gov.
You can also find helpful information by contacting the
following agencies:
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100
1 (916) 449-5577
waterboards.ca.gov
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4101 M)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
1 (800) 426-4791
water.epa.gov/drink/index.cfm
Otay Water District
2254 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2004
(619) 670-2222
opinion_form@otaywater.gov
otaywater.gov
THE TRUTH ABOUT TAP WATER
Beliefs: Surveys have found that most consumers who drink bottled water do so because
they enjoy its taste or its portable convenience. Others drink bottled water because they
believe it to be more pure or safer than their tap water.
The Truth: Did you know that the average bottle of water can cost up to 1,000 times
more than tap water? Despite what its higher cost would lead us to believe, estimates
are that 25-40 percent of the bottled water on the market is simply repackaged
tap water.
Tap water is regulated by the USEPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act, while bottled
water is considered a food and is thus regulated by the FDA. Though some bottlers
may voluntarily exceed FDA standards, both bottled water and public water supplies
in the United States must meet similar standards for safe drinking water. For more
information, visit drinktap.org.
Your Options: It’s important to know that you have other, more affordable, options to
bottled water.
Chill a pitcher of tap water in your refrigerator
Using the chilled water pitcher with refillable water bottles or thermoses is
environmentally friendly and allows for an inexpensive way to achieve refreshing
portability.
Residential water treatment devices
Another possibility is to install a home water filter system. The systems are
convenient, easy to use, and enhance the taste of water. These systems
achieve the same desired results, while still costing a fraction of the price of
bottled water.
For more information about California state-certified residential
water treatment devices, visit the State Water Resources Control
Board’s website at waterboards .ca .gov/drinking_water/certlic/device/
watertreatmentdevices .shtml .
otaywater.gov page 5
PARAMETER UNITS STATE OR FEDERAL MCL [MRDL]
PHG(MCLG)[MRDLG]
STATEDLR RANGE AVERAGE TWIN OAKSPLANT
CARLSBADDESAL PLANT
HELIX PLANT SKINNER PLANT MAJOR SOURCES IN DRINKING WATER
PRIMARY STANDARDS — Mandatory Health-Related Standards
CLARITY
Combined Filter NTU 0.3 NA 0.1 Highest 0.02 0.65 0.04 0.09
Effluent Turbidity %95 (a)NA 0.1 % < 0.3 100 100 100 100 Soil runoff
MICROBIOLOGICAL
Total Coliform Bacteria (b)State Total Coliform Rule %5.0 (0)NA Distribution System-wide: Naturally present in the environment
Otay Distribution System=0%
E.coli State Total Coliform Rule (c)(c)(0)NA Distribution System-wide: Human and animal fecal waste
Otay Distribution System=0%
E.coli Federal Revised Total Coliform Rule (d)(d)(0)NA Distribution System-wide: Human and animal fecal waste
Otay Distribution System=0%
INORGANIC CHEMICALS
Aluminum (e)ppb 1000 600 50 Range ND ND 130-380 52 Residue from water treatment process; natural deposits erosionAverageNDND23952
Arsenic ppb 10 0.004 2 Range NA ND ND-2.5 ND Natural deposits erosion, glass and electronics production wastesAverage2.4 ND ND ND
Barium ppb 1000 2000 100 Range NA ND 100-130 129 Oil and metal refineries discharge; natural deposits erosionAverage100ND117129
FluorideTreatment-related ppm 2.0 1 0.1 Control Range 0.6-1.2 0.6-1.2 0.6-1.2 0.6-1.2 Water additive
Optimal Level 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
Otay Distribution System Range: 0.4-0.9
Otay Distribution System Average: 0.7
Nitrate (as Nitrogen)ppm 10 10 0.4 Range ND-0.6 ND ND ND Runoff and leaching from fertilizer use; septic tank and sewage; natural deposits erosionAverageNDNDNDND
ORGANIC CHEMICALS
Dichloromethane(Methylene Chloride)ppb 5 4 0.5 Range ND - 0.7 ND ND ND Discharge from pharmaceuticals and chemical factoriesAverageNDNDNDND
RADIOLOGICALS
Gross AlphaParticle Activity pCi/L 15 (0)3 Range 4-7 ND NA ND-5 Erosion of natural deposits
Average 5 ND 7 ND
Gross BetaParticle Activity (f)pCi/L 50 (0)4 Range 4-6 ND-29 ND 5 Decay of natural and man-made deposits
Average 5 10 ND 5
Uranium pCi/L 20 0.43 1 Range 2.7-3.1 2.2 ND 1-2 Erosion of natural deposits
Average 2.9 2.2 ND 2
DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS, DISINFECTANT RESIDUALS, AND DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS PRECURSORS
Total Trihalomethanes(TTHM) ppb Distribution System-wide:Otay Distribution System Range = 9-53 By-product of drinking water chlorination
80 (g)NA 1 (i)Highest LRAA = 39
Haloacetic Acids (five)(HAA5)ppb Distribution System-wide:Otay Distribution System Range = ND-16 By-product of drinking water chlorination
60 (g)NA 1 (i)Highest LRAA = 13
Total Chlorine Residual ppm Distribution System-wide:Otay Distribution System Range = ND-3.9 Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment
[4.0] (h)[4.0]NA Highest RAA = 2.5
Bromate ppb 10 (h)0.1 5.0 Range 3.0-8.2 NA ND ND-9.1 By-product of drinking water ozonation
Average 5.9 NA ND 4.2
DBP Precursors Control(TOC)ppm TT NA 0.30 Range 1.7-2.4 ND 2.1-4.8 2.2-2.7 Various natural and man-made sources
Average 2.1 ND 2.7 2.5
2016 WATER QUALITY DATA
otaywater.gov page 6
PARAMETER UNITS STATE OR FEDERAL MCL [MRDL]
PHG(MCLG)[MRDLG]
STATEDLR RANGE AVERAGE TWIN OAKSPLANT
CARLSBADDESAL PLANT
HELIX PLANT SKINNER PLANT MAJOR SOURCES IN DRINKING WATER
PRIMARY STANDARDS — LEAD AND COPPER RULE — SAMPLED AT HOME TAPS IN 2014
Copper (l) ppm AL=1.3 0.3 0.05 0 sites above AL out of 73 sampled90th percentile=0.3 Internal corrosion of household pipes; erosion of natural deposits
Lead (l) ppb AL=15 0.2 5 0 sites above AL out of 73 sampled90th percentile=ND Internal corrosion of household pipes; erosion of natural deposits
Special Lead and Copper Monitoring due to new source as required by SWRCB May 2016 August 2016
Copper (l)ppm AL=1.3 0.3 0.05 0 sites above AL out of 40 90th percentile=0.3 0 sites above AL out of 37 90th percentile=0.3 Internal corrosion of household pipes; erosion of nautural deposits
Lead (l)ppb AL=15 0.2 5 0 sites above AL out of 40 90th percentile=ND 0 sites above AL out of 37 90th percentile=ND Internal corrosion of household pipes; erosion of nautural deposits
SECONDARY STANDARDS — AESTHETIC STANDARDS
Aluminum (e)ppb 200 600 50 Range ND ND 130-380 52 Residue from water treatment process; natural deposits erosionAverageNDND23952
Chloride ppm 500 NA NA Range NA 36-105 98-100 102-104 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; seawater influenceAverage1106499103
Color Units 15 NA NA Range ND ND 1 1-2 Naturally occurring organic materials
Average ND ND 1 2
Iron ppm 0.3 NA 0.1 Range ND ND-0.125 NR ND Naturally occurring organic materials
Average ND 0.007 NR ND
Odor Threshold TON 3 NA 1 Range NA ND ND-2 3 Naturally occurring organic materials
Average 2 ND ND 3
Specific Conductance µS/cm 1600 NA NA Range NA 195-481 NA 965-1030 Substances that form ions in water; seawater influenceAverage10003471000998
Sulfate ppm 500 NA 0.5 Range NA 11-27 230-250 229-238 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits;industrial wastesAverage24017240234
Total Dissolved Solids(TDS)ppm 1000 NA NA Range NA ND-482 610-670 615-632 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; seawater influenceAverage650182648624
Turbidity NTU 5 NA 0.1 Otay Distribution System Range: 0.05-0.21 Soil runoff
Otay Distribution System Average: 0.06
FEDERAL UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS MONITORING RULE (UCMR3 List 1 and List 2)
Bromochloromethane ppt NA NA NA Otay Distribution System Range: 62-140 By-product of drinking water chlorination; industrial processesOtay Distribution System Average: 98
Chlorate ppb NL=800 NA 20 Otay Distribution System Range: 20-430 By-product of drinking water chlorination; industrial processesOtay Distribution System Average: 178
Molybdenum ppb NA NA NA Otay Distribution System Range: ND-4.4 Naturally present in the environment; industrial processesOtay Distribution System Average: 4.0
Strontium ppb NA NA NA Otay Distribution System Range: 140-990 Naturally present in the environment; industrial processesOtay Distribution System Average: 840
OTHER PARAMETERS - Chemical
otaywater.gov page 7
2016 WATER QUALITY DATA
AI ........Aggressiveness IndexAL ........Action Level
Average ...Result based on arithmetic mean
DBP ......Disinfection By-ProductsDLR .......Detection Limits for purposes of Reporting
LRAA .....Locational Running Annual AverageMCL ......Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG .....Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MRDL .....Maximum Residual Disinfectant LevelMRDLG ... Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal
N .........Nitrogen
NA .......Not ApplicableND .......Not Detected
NL ........Notification LevelNTU ......Nephelometric Turbidity Units
NR ........Not ReportedpCi/L ......picoCuries per Liter
PHG ......Public Health Goal
ppb ....... parts per billion or micrograms per liter (µg/L)ppm ...... parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppt. . . . . . . . parts per trillion or nanograms per liter (ng/L)
RAA ......Running Annual AverageRange .... Results based on minimum and maximum values
SWRCB ...State Water Resources Control Board
TOC .......Total Organic CarbonTON ......Threshold Odor Number
TT ........Treatment TechniqueµS/cm ....microSiemen per centimeter
ABBREVIATIONS
FOOTNOTES
DEFINITIONS
(a) The turbidity performance standards regulated by a Treatment Technique shall be less than or equal to 0.3 NTU in 95% of the measurements. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water and is an indicator of treatment performance.
(b) Total coliform MCLs: No more than 5.0% of the monthly samples may be total coliform-positive. The MCL was not violated.
(c) E. coli MCL: The occurrence of two consecutive total coliform-positive samples, one of which contains E. coli, constitutes an acute MCL violation. The MCL was not violated.
(d) E. coli MCL and Level 2 TT triggers for assessments: Routine and repeat samples are total coliform-positive are either sample is E. coli-positive or system fails to collect all repeat samples following an E. coli-positive sample, or fails to test for E. coli when the repeat is a total coliform-positive. No MCLs violations or assessments ocurred.
(e) Aluminum has both primary and secondary standards.
(f) The gross beta particle activity MCL is 4 millirem/year annual dose equivalent to the total body or any internal organ. SWRCB considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.
(g) Compliance based on locational running annual average (LRAA).
(h) Compliance based on running annual average (RAA).
(i) TTHM and HAA5 are combinations of several disinfection by-product compounds. The State DLRs are for the individual compounds.
(j) AI <10.0=Highly aggressive and very corrosive water AI >12.0=Non-aggressive water AI (10.0-11.9 )=Moderately aggressive water
(k) Hardness can also be reported in grains per gallon. The distribution system average is 17 grains per gallon of hardness.
(l) Lead and copper are regulated as a Treatment Technique under the Lead and Copper Rule. It requires systems to take water samples at the consumer’s tap. The action levels, which trigger water systems into taking treatment steps if exceeded in more than 10% of the tap water samples, are 1.3 ppm for copper and 15 ppb for lead. Next triennial monitoring will be performed in 2017.
• 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 technologically 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• 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 highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
• Notification Levels: Notification Levels are health-based advisory levels established by SWRCB for chemicals in drinking water that lack maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). When chemicals are found at concentrations greater than their notification levels, certain requirements, and recommendations apply.
• Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
• Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS): MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.
PARAMETER UNITS STATE OR FEDERAL MCL [MRDL]
PHG(MCLG)[MRDLG]
STATEDLR RANGE AVERAGE TWIN OAKSPLANT
CARLSBADDESAL PLANT
HELIX PLANT SKINNER PLANT MAJOR SOURCES IN DRINKING WATER
Alkalinity ppm NA NA NA Range NA ND-110 106-140 118-125
Average 120 56 124 122
Boron ppb NL=1000 NA 100 Range NA 290-780 NA 140 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastesAverage130490NA140
Calcium ppm NA NA NA Range NA 14-40 59-73 70-74
Average 67 24 68 72
Chlorate ppb NL=800 NA 20 Range 170-450 NA NA 26-60 By-product of drinking water chlorination; industrial processesAverage283NANA51
Corrosivity (j) (as Aggressiveness Index)AI NA NA NA Range NA 11.4-11.9 NR 12.4-12.5 Elemental balance in water; affected by temperature, other factorsAverage1311.6 NR 12.5
Hardness (k)ppm NA NA NA Range NA 44-104 NA 274-294
Average 270 60 290 284
Magnesium ppm NA NA NA Range NA 0.3-4.8 22-26 24-25
Average 25 0.6 25 25
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)ppt NL=10 3 2 Range NA NA NA ND-2.3 By-product of drinking water chlorination; industrial processesAverageNDNANA2.3
pH pH Units NA NA NA Range 7.4-8.6 6.7-8.7 7.7-8.5 8.1-8.2
Average 8.1 8.5 8.0 8.1
Potassium ppm NA NA NA Range NA 0.8-2.9 4.4-4.9 4.8-4.9
Average 4.6 1.9 4.7 4.9
Sodium ppm NA NA NA Range NA 26-74 92-100 101-104
Average 99 47 97 102
2016 WATER QUALITY DATA
otaywater.gov page 8
Informe de Confianza
para el Consumidor
Año 2016
EL GOBERNADOR SUSPENDE OFICIALMENTE
EL ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA POR LA SEQUÍA
El pasado 7 de abril del 2017, el gobernador Edmund G. Brown declaró formalmente el fin del
estado de emergencia por la sequía. La confiabilidad del suministro de agua en la región de
San Diego es mayor actualmente que cuando la sequía comenzó debido a los esfuerzos de
los contribuyentes de agua del condado de San Diego.
Gracias a los clientes de Otay y otras personas en el condado, los contribuyentes han invertido
más de $3.5 mil millones en las últimas tres décadas para contrarrestar la sequía, por ejemplo,
una nueva capacidad de almacenamiento y suministros de agua localmente controlados y
resistentes a la sequía provenientes de la Planta Desalinizadora de Carlsbad.
Los residentes y negocios del condado también superaron las órdenes de emergencia
de reducción de uso de agua durante 2015 y 2016, sin embargo, continúan utilizando
menos agua que en el año 2013 aún cuando las condiciones de sequía han terminado.
Desde que comenzó la orden de conservación del estado en junio de 2015, los clientes
de Otay han ahorrado un promedio de 18 por ciento más de agua comparado con el total
de uso de agua en el año 2013.
El Consejo de Control de Recursos de Agua del Estado de California continuará solicitando a los
distritos que reporten el uso de agua en las ciudades y las prohibiciones contra prácticas de
derroche del vital líquido. Estas prácticas de derroche incluyen el riego durante o después de la
lluvia, limpieza de banquetas con manguera e irrigación de césped decorativo en los camellones
de calles públicas. En otras palabras, utilice el agua que usted necesita pero no la desperdicie. Visite
la página de Internet otaywater.gov para obtener más información sobre la derogación del estado de
emergencia por sequía y las acciones que el Distrito de Agua de Otay está tomando para alentar a
los legisladores y al Consejo Estatal a crear medidas eficientes y a largo plazo sobre el uso de agua,
incluyendo suministros resistentes a la sequía adecuados a las condiciones hidrológicas.
Otay ofrece una gama de recursos de conservación de agua para residentes, negocios, asociaciones
de propietarios y en otras organizaciones.
Para más detalles, visite otaywater.gov/conservation.
PUBLICADO EN 2017
INFORME DE CONFIANZA AL CONSUMIDOR
El Distrito de Agua de Otay le presenta el Informe de Confianza al Consumidor. Este informe
describe detalladamente la calidad del agua del año pasado (2016) incluyendo el origen del agua;
su contenido; y una comparación con los estándares del estado. La información incluida en este
informe de la calidad del agua representa una pequeña fracción de lo que hacemos para asegurar
que usted reciba agua potable de la más alta calidad. Hacemos revisiones exhaustivas del agua,
en uno o más laboratorios certificados por el Estado de California, que incluyen un amplio rango
de elementos que tienen el potencial de degradar la calidad del agua. Únicamente los compuestos
detectados en los suministros de agua fueron incluidos en este informe. Se concluyó, como en
años anteriores, que el agua potable cumple con todos los estándares de salud de la Agencia de
Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (USEPA, por sus siglas en inglés) y los estándares
para el agua potable del Estado de California. El Distrito de Agua de Otay siempre está
vigilante salvaguardando los suministros de agua, y una vez más, estamos orgullosos
de informar que nuestro sistema nunca ha excedido el nivel máximo de contaminantes
o ningún otro estándar de la calidad del agua que pudiera impactar su salud.
ACERCA DEL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY
El Distrito de Agua de Otay es un distrito especial establecido en 1956 por la Legislatura del
Estado de California como proveedor de servicios públicos de agua. En la actualidad, el distrito
provee agua potable a más de 223,000 habitantes dentro de una área
de 125.5 millas cuadradas que incluye las comunidades de Spring
Valley, La Presa, Rancho San Diego, Jamul, Chula Vista, Otay Mesa,
y zonas no incorporadas. El Distrito de Agua de Otay compra el 100
por ciento de su agua tratada. El 85 por ciento de esa agua es
importada del río Colorado y el Proyecto Estatal
de Agua de California, y el otro 15 por ciento
proviene de suministros locales incluyendo
almacenamientos de agua locales dentro
del condado y el océano Pacífico a través
de la planta desalinizadora de agua de mar.
El distrito compra agua tratada al Distrito
Metropolitano de Agua a través de la Planta de
Tratamiento R.A. Skinner del Sur de California;
la Planta de Tratamiento de Agua Twin Oaks
Valley de la Autoridad de Agua del Condado; la
Planta Desalinizadora de Carlsbad; y la Planta
de Tratamiento de Agua R.M. Levy del Distrito
de Agua de Helix.
EVALUACIONES DE LAS FUENTES DE AGUA
Las fuentes de suministro de agua del Distrito de Agua de Otay incluyen el Río Colorado, el
Proyecto Estatal de Agua de California, y suministros locales. Las agencias que proveen de
agua potable al Distrito de Agua de Otay, incluyendo el Distrito Metropolitano de Agua del Sur
de California, la Autoridad de Agua del Condado de San Diego y el Distrito de Agua de Helix,
realizan evaluaciones obligatorias y rigurosas de sus fuentes de agua bruta. Si desea obtener
las evaluaciones del agua, por favor comuníquese con el gerente de sistemas de operación del
Distrito de Agua de Otay Jake Vaclavek, al (619) 670-2230.
LA PARTICIPACIÓN DEL PÚBLICO ES IMPORTANTE
Otay Water District anima a sus clientes a que participen en las reuniones públicas. La junta
directiva del distrito generalmente se reúne el primer miércoles de cada mes a las 3:30 p. m. en
las oficinas del distrito ubicadas en 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley, CA, 91978.
Para la dirección, agendas e información adicional, por favor llame al (619) 670-2222 o visite
otaywater.gov.
AGUA SEGURA
Para asegurar que el agua del grifo es segura para beber,
la USEPA y la Junta Estatal han establecido normas que
limitan la cantidad de ciertos contaminantes en el agua
que se proporciona a través de los sistemas públicos de
agua. Las normas de la Administración de Medicamentos
y Alimentos (FDA, por sus siglas en inglés) de los Estados
Unidos y la ley de California también establecen límites para
los contaminantes en el agua embotellada los cuales deben
proporcionar la misma protección para la salud pública.
Se puede esperar de manera razonable, que el agua
potable, incluyendo el agua embotellada, contenga
pequeñas cantidades de algunos contaminantes. La
presencia de contaminantes no indica necesariamente que
el agua representa un riesgo para la salud. Para obtener
más información acerca de los contaminantes y los posibles
efectos en la salud, por favor llame a la Línea Directa de
Agua Potable de la USEPA al 1 (800) 426-4791 o visite
epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water.
Algunas personas pueden ser más vulnerables a los
contaminantes en el agua potable que la población en
general. Las personas con un sistema inmunológico
debilitado como las personas con cáncer que reciben
quimioterapia, las personas que han recibido trasplantes de
órganos, las personas con VIH/SIDA u otras enfermedades
del sistema inmunológico, algunas personas de la tercera
edad y los lactantes pueden estar particularmente en riesgo
de infecciones.
Estas personas deben consultar a su médico sobre el agua
potable. Las normas de la USEPA y los Centros para el
Control de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés)
sobre las medidas adecuadas para disminuir el riesgo
de infección por Cryptosporidium y otros contaminantes
microbianos están disponibles en la Línea Directa de Agua
Potable Segura al 1 (800) 426-4791.
Las fuentes de agua potable (agua de grifo y agua
embotellada) incluyen los océanos, ríos, lagos, arroyos,
estanques, reservorios, manantiales y pozos. A medida
que el agua viaja sobre la superficie de la tierra o a través
del suelo, disuelve residuos de minerales naturales y en
algunos casos, materiales radioactivos. También puede
recoger sustancias que resultan de la presencia de animales
o de alguna actividad humana.
otaywater.gov page 10
PREOCUPACIONES SOBRE
EL PLOMO EN EL SUMINISTRO
DE AGUA
En el 2014, se encontraron altos niveles de plomo en el
suministro de agua en Flint, Michigan, debido a las líneas de
servicio hechas de plomo que transportan agua del sistema
de agua potable a más de 15,000 hogares y negocios en la
ciudad.
Ninguna de las 730 millas de redes de distribución o líneas
de servicio de agua de Otay están hechas de plomo. Además,
Otay está obligado por la USEPA a recoger muestras de agua
en hogares seleccionados y examinar esa muestra bajo la
Norma de Plomo y Cobre de USEPA. En el área de servicio
de Otay, los niveles de plomo están muy por debajo de los
estándares de USEPA y el 90 por ciento de las muestras de
agua arrojaron niveles de plomo mucho menores al límite de
detección de cinco partes por mil millones.
En enero del 2017, el USEPA en colaboración con el
Departamento de Educación de California, tomó la iniciativa
para comenzar las pruebas de agua potable en las escuelas
(K-12) para el plomo. Los superintendentes escolares pueden
hacer una petición al sistema público de agua en cualquier
momento antes del 1 de noviembre del 2019. Los lugares de
muestreo pueden incluir fuentes de agua potable, cafetería
y áreas de preparación de alimentos, y estaciones para
llenar botellas de agua. El Distrito tiene la responsabilidad
de cubrir los costos asociados con la recolección de las
muestras de agua potable, pruebas y análisis, y reportar los
resultados a las escuelas. Detección de nivel de 15 o menos
partes por mil millones se considera seguro para un sistema
de agua. Si se detecta más de 15, es la responsabilidad de
la escuela de tomar medidas correctivas.
Si desea aprender más acerca del plomo en el agua potable,
visite epa.gov/safewater/lead.
CONTAMINANTES QUE SE PUEDEN PRESENTAR
EN LOS SUMINISTROS DE AGUA
• Contaminantes microbianos como virus y bacterias que pueden provenir de plantas de
tratamiento de aguas residuales, sistemas sépticos, actividades agrícolas o ganaderas y la
fauna silvestre
• Contaminantes inorgánicos tales como sales y metales que pueden surgir naturalmente o
como resultado de la escorrentía de aguas pluviales; descargas de desechos industriales o
domésticos; producción de aceite y gas; minería o agricultura
• Los pesticidas o herbicidas que se pueden originar de la agricultura, escorrentía de aguas
pluviales y usos residenciales
• Contaminantes químicos orgánicos incluyendo los químicos sintéticos y orgánicos volátiles
que son productos derivados de procesos industriales y la producción de petróleo por lo que
también pueden provenir de estaciones de servicio; escorrentía de aguas pluviales en zonas
urbanas; aplicación agrícola; y sistemas sépticos
• Los contaminantes radioactivos que pueden surgir naturalmente o ser resultado de la
producción de aceite y gas, así como actividades mineras.
CONTAMINANTES QUE PUEDEN ESTAR
PRESENTES EN LOS SISTEMAS DE PLOMERÍA
DEL HOGAR
El plomo, si está presente, puede causar serios problemas de salud, especialmente en las
mujeres embarazadas y niños pequeños. El plomo en el agua potable proviene principalmente
de materiales y componentes asociados con las líneas de servicio y la plomería del hogar. El
Distrito de Agua de Otay es responsable de proporcionar agua potable de alta calidad pero no
puede controlar la variedad de materiales que se utilizan en los componentes del sistema de
plomería. Cuando el agua ha estado asentada durante varias horas, usted puede minimizar la
contaminación al plomo dejando correr el agua de la llave durante 30 segundos a dos minutos
antes de utilizarla. Si usted está preocupado acerca del plomo en su agua, tal vez le interesaría
analizar su agua. Para más información acerca del plomo en el agua potable, métodos de análisis
y pasos para minimizar la contaminación, comuníquese a la Línea Directa del Agua Potable
Segura al 1 (800) 426-4791 o visite epa.gov/safewater/lead.
otaywater.gov page 11
Un minuto
en 1,902 años
Un centavo en
10 millones
de dólares
Una gota en
una piscina olímpica (160 pies de longitud y de seis a nueve pies de profundidad)
UNA PARTE POR MIL MILLONES
(PPMM) EQUIVALE A:
otaywater.gov page 12
LA VERDAD SOBRE EL AGUA DEL GRIFO
Creencias: Los estudios muestran que la mayoría de los consumidores que beben agua embotellada
lo hacen porque disfrutan su sabor o portabilidad. Otras personas beben agua embotellada porque
creen que es más pura o más segura que el agua del grifo.
Verdad: ¿Sabía usted que una botella de agua promedio puede costar hasta 1,000 veces más que
el agua del grifo? A pesar de lo que su alto costo nos hace creer, se calcula que el 25 al 40 por
ciento del agua embotellada en el mercado es simplemente agua del grifo envasada.
El agua del grifo está regulada por la USEPA bajo la Ley de Agua Potable Segura mientras que el
agua embotellada está considerada como alimento, por lo tanto, está regulada por la FDA. Si bien
algunos embotelladores podrían exceder los estándares de la FDA, tanto el agua embotellada como
los suministros de agua pública en los Estados Unidos deben cumplir con estándares similares para
el agua potable segura. Para más información, visite drinktap.org.
Usted tiene opciones: Es muy importante saber que usted tiene otra opción más económica que
el agua embotellada.
Ponga a enfriar una jarra de agua
del grifo en su refrigerador
Las jarras de agua fría, botellas reutilizables o termos son amigables con el
medio ambiente y le ofrecen portabilidad a muy bajo costo.
Aparatos de tratamiento de agua del hogar
Otra posibilidad es la instalación de un sistema de filtración de agua en el
hogar. Estos sistemas son prácticos, fáciles de usar y mejoran el sabor del
agua. Estos aparatos logran los mismos resultados deseados a una fracción
del costo del precio del agua embotellada.
Para más información acerca de los aparatos para tratar el agua del hogar
que estén certificados por el estado de California, visite waterboards .ca .gov/
drinking_water/certlic/device/Documents/aparatos_para_tratar_el_agua .pdf .
Mahalaga ang impormasyong ito . Mangyaring ipasalin ito
INFORMACIÓN ADICIONAL
El Distrito de Agua de Otay agradece todos sus
comentarios y participación activa. Si tiene preguntas
sobre la información contenida en este informe o en
los procesos de pruebas, por favor comuníquese con
Jake Vaclavek, gerente de operaciones del sistema, al
(619) 670-2230 o visite otaywater.gov. También puede
encontrar información muy útil si se comunica con las
siguientes agencias:
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100
1 (916) 449-5577
waterboards.ca.gov
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4101 M)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
1 (800) 426-4791
water.epa.gov/drink/index.cfm
Otay Water District
2254 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2004
(619) 670-2222
opinion_form@otaywater.gov
otaywater.gov