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Is Oxnard Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, August 8, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Oxnard?

Yes, Oxnard's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Oxnard has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Oxnard's water utility, Oxnard Water Dept, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Oxnard Water Dept water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Oxnard Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Oxnard tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Oxnard's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Oxnard Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Oxnard Water Dept for Oxnard in California. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

For the compliance period beginning Oct. 1, 2015, Oxnard had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

Is there Lead in Oxnard Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Oxnard water system, Oxnard Water Dept, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0042 mg/L of lead in Oxnard water. This is 28.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Oxnard contained more lead.

While Oxnard water testing may have found 0.0042 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Oxnard Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme - near Oxnard with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Oxnard has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Oxnard SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
10/01/2015 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Oxnard Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT OXNARD CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Oxnard water provider, Oxnard Water Dept, please use the information below.
By Phone: 805-385-8136
By Email: omar.castro@oxnard.org
By Mail: 251 South Hayes Avenue
OXNARD, CA, 93030
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR OXNARD WATER DEPT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Oxnard Water Dept account to pay their Oxnard water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Oxnard Water Dept bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Oxnard water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Oxnard water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP OXNARD WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Oxnard means you will often need to put the water in your name with Oxnard Water Dept. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Oxnard means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Oxnard Water Dept. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Oxnard Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.49 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Oxnard tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 50% Moderate
  • Water Pollution 1% Very Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 50% Moderate
  • Water Quality 99% Very High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Oxnard, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Oxnard Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Oxnard's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

John C. Zaragoza

Mayor

Bryan A. MacDonald

Mayor Pro Tem, District 4

Bert E. Perello

Councilmember, District 1

Gabe Teran

Councilmember, District 2

Oscar Madrigal

Councilmember, District 3

Gabriela Basua

Councilmember, District 5

Vianey Lopez

Councilmember, District 6

City Council Office

300 West Third Street, Oxnard, CA 93030

Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report

2020 Annual Water Quality Report for City of Oxnard Water Customers

This report contains important information about your drinking water.

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. El informe está disponible en Español en el sitio web de la Ciudad en www.oxnard.org/CCR o contáctenos al (805) 385-8136 para recibir asistencia en Español.

Public Information

You are invited to participate in or view any of the regularly scheduled City Council meetings.

When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Where: City Council Chambers

305 West Third Street, Oxnard, CA 93030

Meetings can be watched live and are taped for later viewing. If the City Council Chambers are temporarily closed due to public health directives, remote viewing may be necessary but expanded public participation options are available. For details, visit www.oxnard.org/city-meetings.

For more information about this report:

Visit www.oxnard.org/CCR or (805) 385-8136

For additional information:

Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791

California Division of Drinking Water, District 06-Santa Barbara (805) 566-1326

Dear Valued Customer,

I am pleased to share the 2020 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report. This report contains important water quality testing results, background on our water resources, and health information for sensitive populations. As you will read, the City has successfully met strict water quality guidelines set by the California Division of Drinking Water (CDDW) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

During this challenging time, the Water Division team continues to work hard, each and every day, to deliver safe, clean and reliable drinking water to more than 200,000 residents. More than ever, tap water is vital to our community’s health and safety. Please rest assured that our water treatment processes - as they always have - will continue to protect you and your family by removing or killing harmful organisms and viruses, including COVID-19. In addition, I am proud that our entire staff has taken all necessary actions to maintain essential water operations during this public health emergency.

Thank you for reading this important report because informed customers are our best allies. We truly appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Omar Castro

Water Division Manager

Please share this information with others at your location by posting this notice in a public place or common area. This Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report is available in English and Spanish (Español) on the City’s website at www.oxnard.org/CCR. For any questions about this report, please contact the Water Division Manager, Omar Castro, at (805) 385-8136.

2 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report 2020

CITY OF OXNARD

DRINKING WATER SOURCES AND TREATMENT

Oxnard’s drinking water is a blend of sources. Our water supplies include imported water from the Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas), regional groundwater purchased from the United Water Conservation District (United), and water pumped from City groundwater wells, a portion of which is treated by the City’s Desalter Facility.

IMPORTED WATER:

Calleguas Municipal

Water District

Calleguas is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan), the major water importer and wholesale agency for Southern California. Water supplied to Oxnard from Calleguas originates in Northern California via the State Water Project: a system of reservoirs, aqueducts and pump stations. This water is treated either by Metropolitan’s Jensen Water Treatment Plant or by Calleguas’ Lake Bard Water Filtration Plant. Both Metropolitan and Calleguas perform routine watershed surveys, source water quality sampling and analyses, and operational and treatment

OXNARD WATER SUPPLY

City

Desalter

City 10% Imported

Groundwater29%

19%

Regional

Groundwater

42%

activities to ensure the water supplied maintains a high quality.

REGIONAL GROUNDWATER:

United Water

Conservation District

United manages, stores and may periodically release water from Lake Piru into the Santa Clara River. During

high flows (during and after storms), United may also divert Santa Clara River water into spreading ponds near El Rio, capturing water that would have otherwise been lost to the ocean. This river water infiltrates and recharges the Oxnard Plain groundwater aquifer. Later the groundwater is extracted, treated, and delivered to several retail water agencies in the region including Oxnard. Groundwater from United is blended with water from Calleguas or water from the City’s Desalter Treatment Facility before delivery into the water distribution system. United performs regular watershed surveys as well as routine sampling and water quality analyses to ensure that water stored, treated, and delivered to its customers maintains a consistent quality.

LOCAL GROUNDWATER: Oxnard

The Water Division operates ten groundwater wells that are

treatment to remove dissolved minerals and is capable of

tested and monitored on a regular basis to meet all drinking

processing up to 7.5 million gallons of water per day.

water standards. Oxnard’s treatment process includes disinfection

The City’s Water Division also conducts routine source water

using chloramines which removes and kills viruses, including

assessments in order to detect potential contaminants in the

coronaviruses, as well as bacteria and other pathogens.

groundwater before they become a problem. This includes

 

To produce an aesthetically pleasing drinking water quality, City

possible contaminants from local gas stations, private septic

well water is blended with water from Calleguas or treated water

systems, drainage from agriculture, and industrial facilities such

from the City’s Desalter Treatment Facility. The Desalter, fed

as chemical and petroleum processing and storage facilities, dry

by City wells, improves water quality by using reverse osmosis

cleaners, metal plating, finishing and fabricating facilities.

OXNARD PLAIN GROUNDWATER BASIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Clara River Infiltration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Perched

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oxnard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zone

Upper Aquifer System

 

Elevation (Ft.)

 

Saltwater

Shore Line

 

Forebay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intrusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific

 

 

 

Oxnard Aquifer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean

 

 

 

Mugu Aquifer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hueneme Aquifer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fox Canyon and Grimes

 

 

Lower Aquifer System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canyon Aquifers

 

 

 

 

 

-2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offshore

 

 

 

 

Onshore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approximately 5 Miles

 

 

 

 

Approximately 10 Miles

 

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CITY OF OXNARD

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

All of the monitoring conducted is necessary to ensure that your water is safe to drink and also aesthetically pleasing. Monitoring is a result of prescribed regulations from the USEPA as well as the CDDW. These regulations limit the amount of certain health-based and aesthetic contaminants in water provided by all public water systems. Many of the monitoring, treatment, and water quality requirements that are placed upon local drinking water supplies are actually more stringent than for bottled water.

Here is some additional information that may provide assistance in interpreting information in the 2020 Water Quality Tables:

  • Some of the parameters measured will change very infrequently in their environment. For these parameters, the State allows the City to monitor them less than once a year. Therefore, some of the City’s data - although representative - is more than one year old.
  • Unregulated contaminant monitoring is conducted every five years in order to assist USEPA and CDDW to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the contaminants need to be regulated. During 2018-2020, the City monitored 30 unregulated contaminants from its wells along with a corresponding sampling from the distribution system reflecting water from each well. The testing data is collected nationally and used to evaluate if new drinking water regulations would increase public health protection.
  • There are many more contaminants that were monitored than what is reported in the included water quality table; however, they were never detected in your drinking water so they are not listed.
  • The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include 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 materials, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

CONTAMINANTS THAT MAY BE PRESENT IN SOURCE WATER INCLUDE:

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which 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, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban

stormwater runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems.

Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. USEPA regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain 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 (1- 800-426-4791).

4 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report 2020

CITY OF OXNARD

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. lmmuno-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.

USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (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 (1-800-426-4791).

Nitrate (as Nitrogen) 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 (as Nitrogen) 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.

In 2018, the City’s water supply was tested for lead and copper. Lead and copper sampling shows levels are below regulatory limits. A new round of lead and copper samples will be conducted in 2021.

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. Oxnard Water 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 2 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

5 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report 2020

CITY OF OXNARD

City of Oxnard Summary of Water Quality Results for 2020

The following water quality tables describe the parameters measured in the various water supply sources and the results of those measurements from January through December 2020, unless otherwise indicated. Please note that the results represent a blend of water quality which is delivered to customers through the water distribution system, unless otherwise indicated.

PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS - Mandatory Health-Related Standards

 

 

 

Calleguas

 

 

 

 

 

PHG (MCLG)

(Jensen

Calleguas

 

 

Parameter

MCL

MRDLG

Plant)

(Lake Bard)

Year Tested

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined Filter Effluent Turbidity

Highest Single Value

0.04

0.06

2020

Soil runoff

 

 

 

 

(NTU)

TT = % of samples 0.3 NTU

100%

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHG (MCLG)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parameter

MCL (MRDL)

MRDLG

Range

Average

Year Tested

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INORGANIC CHEMICALS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenic (ppb)

10

0.004

ND - 2.9

0.725

2020

Erosion of natural deposits, orchard runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride (ppm)

2.0

1.0

0.48 - 0.65

0.58

2020

Water additive that promotes strong teeth, naturally occurs

in groundwater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate (as N) (ppm)

10

10

2.9 - 4.2

3.62

2020

Runoff and leaching from fertilizer and sewage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selenium (ppb)

50

30

8.8 - 11

9.92

2020

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADIOLOGICALS (a) (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Alpha Particle Activity (pCi/L)

15

0

2.12 - 3.4

2.67

2020

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Beta Particle Activity (pCi/L)

50

0

2.43 - 3.02

3.6

2020

Decay of natural and manmade deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uranium (pCi/L)

20

0.43

4.7 - 6.1

5.25

2020

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECONDARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDS - Aesthetic Standards

Parameter

Secondary MCL Notification Level

Range

Average

Year Tested

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride (ppm)

500

52

- 59

56

2020

Runoff and leaching from natural deposits, seawater

influence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Odor Threshold (units)

3.0

1.0

- 1.0

1.0

2020

Naturally-occurring organic material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Conductance (uS/cm)

1,600

1,190 - 1,290

1,235

2020

Substances that form ions when in water, seawater

influence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate (ppm)

500

390

- 480

427.5

2020

Runoff and leaching from natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

1,000

900 - 1,100

975

2020

Runoff and leaching from natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity (NTU)

5.0

0.13

- 0.19

0.165

2020

Soil runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Groundwater

5

0.01 - 0.33

0.12

2020

Well corrosion byproducts. Microscopic soil particles

Turbidity (NTU)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS (UNREGULATED)

 

Secondary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parameter

MCL

Notification Level

Range

Average

Year Tested

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity (ppm)

NS

NS

180

- 200

187.5

2020

Erosion of natural material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calcium (ppm)

NS

NS

110

- 150

127.5

2020

Erosion of natural material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardness (Total Hardness) (ppm)

NS

NS

430

- 570

492.5

2020

Erosion of natural material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnesium (ppm)

NS

NS

39

- 48

43.5

2020

Erosion of natural material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pH (pH units)

 

NS

7.46

- 7.72

7.61

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potassium (ppm)

NS

NS

3.7

- 3.9

3.8

2020

Erosion of natural material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

NS

NS

76

- 87

82.2

2020

Erosion of natural material, seawater influence

6 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report 2020

CITY OF OXNARD

ADDITIONAL PARAMETERS (UNREGULATED) noted in the source water prior to blending

Chlorate (ppb)

NS

800

7.6 - 40

25.6

2020

By-product of water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon (ppm)

NS

50

1.2 - 1.6

1.475

2020

Various natural and manmade sources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State MCL

PHG (MCLG)

 

 

Greatest

 

Parameter

[MRDL]

[MRDLG]

Range

Average

RAA

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISINFECTION RELATED MONITORING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfectant Residual Total Chlorine,

[4.0]

[4.0]

0.20 - 2.5

1.64

1.72

Disinfectant added to control microbiological parameters

as residual (ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State MCL

PHG (MCLG)

 

 

Greatest

 

Parameter

[MRDL]

[MRDLG]

Range

Average

LRAA

Major Sources in Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection By-Products Haloacetic

60

N/A

ND - 8.1

4.86

6.725

By-products of drinking water disinfection using chlorine

acids (HAA5) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes TTHM (ppb)

80

N/A

ND - 42

21.57

31

By-products of drinking water disinfection using chlorine

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISINFECTION-RELATED MONITORING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source water prior to blending

10

0.1

ND

ND

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Bromate (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metropolitan (Jensen Plant)

10

0.1

1.4 - 6.0

4.4

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Bromate (ppb) (c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEAD AND COPPER MONITORING 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90th

 

 

 

Copper (d) (ppb)

1,300 (AL)

300

percentile

 

580

 

 

 

 

value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural materials and corrosion of household

 

 

 

No. of sites

 

 

 

 

 

 

52

plumbing fixtures

 

 

 

sampled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sites

 

0

 

 

 

 

exceeding AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90th

 

 

 

Lead (d) (ppb)

15 (AL)

0.2

percentile

 

6.1

 

 

 

 

value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural materials and corrosion of household

 

 

 

No. of sites

 

 

 

 

 

 

52

plumbing fixtures

 

 

 

sampled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sites

3

exceeding AL

 

 

 

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 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.

Primary Drinking Water Standards (PDWS) MCLs, MRDLs, and treatment techniques (TTs) for contaminants that affect health, along with their monitoring and reporting requirements.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL)

The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of 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.

Regulatory Action Level (AL)

The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Treatment Technique (TT)

A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Abbreviations

CDDW

California Division of Drinking Water

LRAA

Locational Running Annual Average

NA

Not Applicable

ND

Not Detected

NS

No Standard

NTU

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

pCi/L

picoCuries per liter

ppb

Parts per billion - Micrograms per liter (ug/l)

ppm

Parts per million - Milligrams per liter (mg/l)

RAA

Running Annual Average

SWRCB

State Water Resources Control Board

uS/cm

microSiemen per centimeter

References

  1. SWRCB DDW considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles; the gross beta particle activity MCL is 4 millirem/year annual dose equivalent to the total body or any internal organ.
  2. Radionuclides are sampled over a range from throughout a given year to every 6 years.
  3. Bromate is an ozonation treatment by-product. Bromate values shown are solely contributed by the Jensen Plant and only occur in the system when water originates from that location.
  4. Lead and Copper monitoring was last conducted throughout the City’s distribution system in 2018 and is scheduled to be sampled again in 2021.

7 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report 2020

CITY OF OXNARD

Water Conservation is an

Oxnard Way of Life

OxnardWater.org

WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES

• All water waste is prohibited.

FIND AND FIX LEAKS

The average household loses more

than 10,000 gallons of water each year through leaks. Fortunately, most leaks are easy to find if you know

where to look.

CHECK FOR LEAKS

• Water outdoors no more than twice a week

between the hours of 4 pm and 9 am (or 6 pm and 9 am during daylight savings time).

• No watering 48 hours after a rain event.

• No water runoff from sprinklers or other

uses (no wet pavement).

  • Check your meter before and after a
    two-hour period when no water is being used in the home. If the meter numbers change at all, you probably have a leak.
  • Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, hoses, spigots, and broken sprinkler heads. You may just need to tighten the connection, or maybe it’s time to replace some of your fixtures with water efficient EPA WaterSense labeled devices.
  • Identify silent toilet leaks by placing drops of food coloring in the tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 15 minutes, you have a leak. Flush the toilet to prevent staining. It’s time to replace the flapper.
  • If you need more information on how to detect and repair the most common leaks, check out our web page for DIY videos and other helpful tips.

BE IN THE KNOW ABOUT H20

Check out our water conservation programs and water efficiency rebates.

Learn about

Report water waste

California Friendly

on our 311 app.

Landscaping

 

techniques.

 

  1. 385-8154 OxnardWater.org

Contaminants


Oxnard Water Department

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the California State Water Resources Control Board, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 200855
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 25

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic
  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Bromoform
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Uranium

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • Chlorate
  • DCPA mono- and di-acid degradates
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Manganese
  • Molybdenum
  • Monobromoacetic acid
  • Selenium
  • Strontium
  • Strontium-90
  • Trichloroacetic acid
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Oxnard Tap Water

The Oxnard tap water story is getting a lot of attention. It’s the center of a controversy that’s been playing out in California ever since the AP reported that scientists had found dangerous levels of benzene in the drinking water in Oxnard. The AP didn’t say precisely what classes were challenging, but they did say that concentrations as high as 10 parts per million were found. That’s not very dangerous by any standard. But what does that mean?

The EPA says that benzene is “of concern” because it can act as a cancer-causing carcinogen. It also says that such concentrations over long periods might cause neurological damage. So, is there anything you can do about it? You can’t, at least not at home.

If you want to ensure that your loved ones are not exposed to harmful levels of benzene, you should invest in a good purifier for your kitchen or showerhead, kitchen faucet, and bathtub. These devices will block most of the benzene and other contaminants from entering your drinking water. Home purifiers are inexpensive, easy to install, and very useful in controlling the chemicals that enter your body. Oxnard tap water doesn’t have to be a worrying health risk. You need to find the right purification system.

Oxnard Drinking Water

It’s hard to imagine a town in California with a better quality of drinking water than Oxnard. The majority of the people living here have a very comfortable and enjoyable experience with the water that is offered, although there are always complaints of some sort regarding the quality of the water. It really depends on what you ask. Oxnard is a well populated area of Southern California, which means it gets a lot of attention for its beautiful scenery from those who visit, as well as from people who want to take home a bottle of this or that for testing purposes.

The state of California has placed restrictions on many chemicals that could potentially be in the water, specifically arsenic and benzene. Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that can cause a variety of illnesses when ingested, and although the risk increases with increased exposure, it’s still dangerous to consume even in trace amounts. Benzene, too, is naturally occurring but because it becomes airborne with the wind, it can pose a threat to people. Both can be found in trace amounts in Oxnard’s water supply, however.

All of this leads some people to think that if you’re drinking water containing arsenic, you might be at risk for illness. This is actually not the case. Although the mineral may make you feel ill, the amount of arsenic in your body is so minimal it won’t do anything other than show up in your stool. If you want to avoid illnesses of all types, you should remove arsenic from your drinking water and cook with only boiled water and limit your exposure to naturally occurring pesticides and fertilizers.

Oxnard Water

It’s hard to imagine a town in California with a better quality of drinking water than Oxnard. The majority of the people living here have a very comfortable and enjoyable experience with the water offered. However, there are always complaints of some sort regarding the quality of the water. It depends on what you ask. Oxnard is a well-populated area of Southern California, which means it gets a lot of attention for its beautiful scenery from those who visit, as well as from people who want to take home a bottle of this or that for testing purposes.

California has placed restrictions on many chemicals that could potentially be in the water, specifically arsenic and benzene. Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that can cause various illnesses when ingested. Although the risk increases with increased exposure, it’s still dangerous to consume even in trace amounts. Benzene is naturally occurring, but because it becomes airborne with the wind, it can pose a threat to people. Both can be found in trace amounts in Oxnard’s water supply, however.

All of this leads some people to think that you might be at risk for illness if you’re drinking water containing arsenic. This is not the case. Although the mineral may make you feel ill, the amount of arsenic in your body is so minimal it won’t do anything other than show up in your stool. Suppose you want to avoid illnesses of all types. In that case, you should remove arsenic from your drinking water and cook with only boiled water and limit your exposure to naturally occurring pesticides and fertilizers.

Oxnard Water Quality

An Oxnard Water Quality District has many requirements for its treatment facilities. It is to be kept in mind that no additional treatment is required for any water coming from Oxnard. The city of Oxnard has significant concern for its water quality, which is evident by the fact that over three hundred and twenty water treatment facilities are in operation within the Oxnard City limits. Most of these treatment facilities are supplied by the Southern California Edison Company, responsible for maintaining all forms of water supply within the Oxnard area.

To say that the city of Oxnard is a good place for swimming would be an understatement as the waters of Oxnard have some of the best conditions for swimming and surfing. This is fortunate because of the many resorts and other forms of entertainment that also make up this community. Besides Oxnard being a hotbed for water sports, it is also an excellent community for various other activities. Even a national park called Olompali State Historical Park is well known for the exotic plants, animals, and fauna found within the park. All kinds of events take place in the community of Oxnard, but they tend to focus more on relaxation and enjoyment rather than fitness and exercise.

One of the most popular events of all time is the Oxnard Film Festival, which generally happens every year at the beginning of June. This is held within the community of Oxnard, but it also covers the rest of the county. Some of the other festivals and activities include golfing on the courses of Oxnard or even taking part in parades. Whatever you do, there is plenty to do at Oxnard, and it would be wise to get out of the house and enjoy yourself. Whether you are looking for water sports or just a relaxing afternoon, you will never be disappointed with what Oxnard Water Quality has to offer you.

Oxnard Water Supply

The Oxnard Water Supply is located in the rural area of Oxnard, in the California desert. Oxnard is a small city on the east coast of California. The city is known for the scenic views it has to offer and for the abundance of natural and cultural resources. The primary source of drinking water is a small stream named Torrey Pines. Torrey Pines runs through the middle of the town, providing clean, purified water for the residents.

The city is served by two major water treatment plants that process all of the wastewater from Oxnard, including the Torrey Pines stream. The treatment facility can purify any water and make sure that it is safe to use for drinking and other typical household uses. It is also important to remember that just because the water supply is safe to use, it is not always safe to swim in or bathe in. There have been many cases of people contracting water-borne illnesses such as diarrhea and amoebiasis from the raw pool water passing through the pipes. It is also essential to make sure and disinfect any body of water you are using for any reason, especially if you will take a shower or use it for other purposes.

Besides having an excellent, clean water supply, the city of Oxnard also has perfect geography, rich with deserts, lakes, and parks. The most important natural resource in Oxnard is the Santa Barbara Channel, which runs through the city. This is the most profound and most diverse channel in the state, providing wildlife refuge and being a critical breeding habitat for some of the state’s threatened species. If you are interested in visiting Oxnard, there are many different car rentals available to rent in the area. Just a quick search online will reveal several car rental services in and around Oxnard, as well as several different locations in and out of the greater Los Angeles area.

Oxnard Water System

The Oxnard Water Treatment Center is a facility that processes sewage, segregating it according to its type and then sending it to treatment plants for further treatment. To receive treatment, the treated sewage will be sent through pipelines to a variety of treatment plants which will convert it into drinking and bathing water. The entire process is beneficial since it provides a measure of protection from diseases that could be spread through sewerage pipes. Many cities and towns in Oxnard, California, have found this process highly effective in protecting their citizens from various types of diseases. Although a lot more research needs to be done in this field, the current studies show that this method is highly effective and does indeed have a lot of merits.

During the past several decades, the city of Oxnard has taken significant steps to improve the quality of the water which it dishes out to its residents. The city’s water treatment center undergoes regular maintenance and upgrades to ensure that it keeps on top of the various environmental problems. A recent study shows that despite the significant improvement in treatment methods and facilities, there is still a lot of pollution within the system. Oxnard Water Service is looking into ways to further prevent such pollution, hoping that it can eventually make up for the losses caused by the current efforts.

To understand the importance of sewage treatment for Oxnard, you first need to know how the entire process works. Wastewater is “cooked” in sewage treatment plants using different methods to kill any disease-causing germs and bacteria. After this, the sewage is sent on to various treatment plants where it undergoes further treatment to remove any remaining trace of disease-causing organisms. The entire process is then sent back to the general public for other use. With this, it is evident that we owe it to ourselves and our community to ensure that the water we drink and use every day is clean and safe. For this reason, you will find that many cities all across the country and even the world have taken measures to improve their sewage systems by investing in the right technology and tools needed.

Oxnard Drinking Water Standards

The City of Oxnard is known for its beautiful scenery and the art and culture of the surrounding area, but did you know that these standards are designed to protect us as residents and people outside the area? The California Environmental Quality Commission established the Oxnard drinking water standards. This is the body that oversees all matters relating to public health, the environment, and the quality of natural resources within the state. O.K., now that’s interesting, but why does the C.E.Q.C. set these standards in the first place?

There are many theories as to why the C.E.Q.C. sets the drinking water standards that they do. Some say that it is so that the measures will catch non-conformists and quacks within the industry. Another theory is that they are just the minimum standards necessary to protect the general public from harm. If we are going to sue the companies within the industry, then the minimum requirements should also be sufficient to protect the public from damage in the long run. In other words, we are protecting the industry from lawsuits that could cause them undue financial harm.

Whatever the case may be, the fact remains that the standards were created to protect us, and they have done so through the years. If you are serviced by a treatment facility or even a municipal facility, your local drinking water standards regulate your water daily. Without those standards, you are putting yourself and your family at risk for harmful chemicals and substances in your drinking water. Without those standards, you would not be able to affordably and safely cleanse your water.

Oxnard Water Utility

The Oxnard Water Utility Company was founded in 1966 by Carl DeMuth, whose grandfather operated a treatment plant for the United States military. It is one of the eighteen water utility companies in Southern California and serves the Oxnard, Ventura, and Oxnard cities. The company does not treat the entire community but instead works to provide safe, clean, and healthy water to all the residents.

In 2021, The City of Oxnard filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that it did not perform its obligation to treat the community with regulated standards and guidelines. A judge subsequently ordered the company to reinstate its license effective immediately. The reinstatement will allow the company to treat and deliver treated water to all the residents of Oxnard. The suit also claimed that the company failed to keep proper records of its water deliveries and did not make required repairs and maintenance on its aging water infrastructure. The city of Oxnard has denied these claims.

It is understood that the company has been ordered to reinstate its license by the court. However, the company has already announced that it would file an appeal. The city will then determine if the request is warranted. Should the appeals court deny the appeal, the city of Oxnard has the option of reinstating its water utility. If this occurs, the current water utility will be terminated, and a new one will be established.

Oxnard Water Treatment

The staff at Oxnard Water Treatment and Plantation are experts in the field of water treatment technology. The plant operates under the direction of the National Ground Water Council. If you want to have your tap water tested for any contaminants, you can contact them directly. They also offer complete other water service and product solutions to their valued customers. For a detailed treatment solution for various water issues in your area, the Oxnard Water Treatment and Plantation staff is there to assist you.

They offer well water testing kits that are very easy to use. The staff of the treatment facility will test your water for both minerals and other contaminants as well. You can get peace of mind knowing that your healthy water is of the highest quality available. It is also essential to understand that the water in your household is free from toxic chemicals, herbicides, heavy metals, and other harmful pollutants and contaminants. You can be assured that the water treatment process being used at Oxnard Water Treatment and Plantation can kill bacteria and prevent them from entering your tap water as well.

They also offer a full range of services to their customers, such as cleaning, testing, and treatment. Customers can also get certification from the experts of the plant as proof of their well-site management. With a simple telephone call, you can talk to an expert at the plant about what kind of treatment process would work best for your home or business. You can even send them pictures of areas in your home or business that needs treatment. Since the technicians are available all hours of the day, you can rely on them to ensure that your water source is safe.

Division of Drinking Water in Oxnard

If you’re wondering why the Oxnard Division of Drinking Water is worried about your drinking water, here’s a little background. In 2021, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, conducted an investigation that resulted in what we know today as the Clean Water Act. This Act contained a ban on four different industrial chemicals that were known or suspected of contributing to cancer development in humans. Among the substances, the Clean Water Act was designed to ban were the four commonly used pharmaceuticals that had been the source of congenital disabilities in children.

The state required the division of drinking water in Oxnard to review its operations under the new law. The resulting report was not pretty. There were numerous instances where drugs and other chemicals were found in Oxnard and Santa Barbara’s drinking waters. Several concerns were expressed over the amounts of antibiotic medicines found in fish and aquatic animals living and breeding in the area.

So, what did the Environmental Protection Agency do? They sent in the Army Corps of Engineers to clean up the mess. They sent in millions of cubic yards of treated sewage water to be pumped throughout Oxnard and Santa Barbara counties. The Clean Water Act also required that all of the major cities, schools, and hospitals that serve a majority of Oxnard County residents have systems in place that are certified to filter out prescription drugs from drinking water. A few other provisions of the Act also require that treatment facilities develop guidelines for reducing TCE levels (trihalomethane) in the drinking water.

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