Consumer Confidence Report
The District routinely monitors for constituents in accordance with Federal and State laws. All drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some constituents. It's important to remember that the presence of these constituents does not necessarily pose a health risk. THE DISTRICT HAS MET ALL STANDARDS.
Additional information regarding District water quality can be found in our most recent Consumer Confidence Report (formerly known as the Water Quality Report):
Consumer Confidence Report (.pdf format)
Consumer Confidence Report (Large Print .pdf format)
Lead and Copper testing is performed periodically as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of California Department of Health Services. In September 2005, the District tested 20 homes built prior to 1986. The same homes are scheduled to be tested again in September 2008. To date, the District has found no detectable levels of Lead and minimal levels of Copper.
Pharmaceuticals in the water
http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/pdf/drawing.pdf http://www.nodrugsdownthedrain.org/
What are the impacts on human health and the environment? Medications have been detected in very small amounts in surface water bodies (streams, lakes, and rivers) across the United States. The most recent extensive study of medications in surface waters was performed by the United States Geological Survey in 1999 and 2000 (http://pubs.acs.org/journals/esthag/36/i06/pdf/es011055j.pdf) . This study surveyed 139 streams throughout the United States in locations that were thought to be susceptible to contamination from livestock production or
urban activities. Water samples were tested for 95 medications, hormones, and other organic chemicals. In 80 percent of the samples tested, one or more of the chemicals were found, generally in very small amounts. Examples of medications found included acetaminophen, steroids, hormones, codeine, antibiotics, antimicrobials, and ibuprofen.
The major concerns to date regarding the presence of medications in surface water bodies have been increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics and interference with growth and reproduction in aquatic organisms such as fish and frogs. Aquatic organisms are sensitive to low levels of exposure and are particularly vulnerable when exposure occurs during developmentally sensitive times such as before birth and during juvenile stages of growth (http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/faq.html#Insimpleterms). Effects of exposure can include a gender ratio imbalance (e.g. more females than males within a given population); intersex conditions (the presence of both male and female reproductive organs within an individual organism); poor egg hatching success; decreased fertility and growth; and altered behavior (e.g. lethargy and disorientation).
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| Discarding unused drugs and personal care products down the toilet is a common but poor disposal method. |
This is a complex issue and the level of risk to humans and the environment is still being determined. There are tens of thousands of medicinal products on the market with more being developed each year. It is not definitively known which particular medicinal compounds or mixtures of these are a problem or what the long-term risks are. However, research is ongoing and, in the meantime, it is prudent to limit the disposal of waste medications to the sewer in order to minimize the potential negative and irreversible impacts on the environment.
If you have any questions about this report or your water quality, please contact:
Martin R. Damwyk
phone: 733-2475
e-mail:
mdamwyk@vvcsd.org
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised 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 from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. More information about contaminants and potential health effects are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).