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Is Santa Margarita Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:49 pm, August 6, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Santa Margarita?

Yes, Santa Margarita's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Santa Margarita 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, the city's water provider website, or Santa Margarita's local Twitter account.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Santa Margarita's water utility, Santa Margarita Water District, 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 Santa Margarita Water District 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 Santa Margarita Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Santa Margarita 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 Santa Margarita's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Santa Margarita Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

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

Is there Lead in Santa Margarita Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Santa Margarita water system, Santa Margarita Water District, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0009 mg/L of lead in Santa Margarita water. This is 6.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Santa Margarita contained more lead.

While Santa Margarita water testing may have found 0.0009 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 Santa Margarita 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 - Camp San Luis Obispo - near Santa Margarita 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 Santa Margarita 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.

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.

Santa Margarita Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A WATER QUALITY GOAL?
In addition to mandatory water quality standards, USEPA and the DDW have set voluntary water quality goals for some contaminants. Water quality goals are often set at such low levels that they are not achievable in practice and are not directly measurable. Nevertheless, these goals provide useful guidance and directions for water management practices. The charts in this report include three types of water quality goals:
WHAT ARE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS?
Drinking water standards established by the USEPA and DDW set limits for substances that may affect consumer health or aesthetic qualities of drinking water. The charts in this report show the following types of water quality standards:
WHERE DO WE USE WATER THE MOST?
Outdoor watering of lawns and gardens makes up approximately 60% of home water use. By reducing your outdoor water use — by either cutting back on irrigation or planting more drought tolerant landscaping — you can dramatically reduce your overall water use. Save the most where you use the most: Make your outdoor use efficient. Southern California has an arid climate and wise water use needs to become a part of everyone’s daily lives. For as finite as our water resources are, they get smaller every year. Simple water saving acts like the ones listed here can save countless gallons of water every day.
HOW CAN YOU LEARN MORE?
There’s a wealth of information on the internet about Drinking Water Quality and water issues in general. Some good sites to begin your own research are: Metropolitan Water District of So. California: www.mwdh2o.com California Department of Water Resources: www.water.ca.gov The Water Education Foundation: www.watereducation.org To learn more about Water Conservation & Rebate Information: http://smwd.com/conservation And to see the Aqueducts in action, checkout these two videos: Wings Over the State Water Project: youtu.be/8A1v1Rr2neU Wings Over the Colorado Aqueduct: youtu.be/KipMQh5t0f4 each month. Meeting details can be found on the District’s website at https://smwd.com/meetings. Please feel free to participate in these meetings. For more information about the health effects of the listed contaminants in the following tables, call the USEPA hotline at 26111 Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 (949) 459-6400 S www.smwd.com
HOW DO I CONTACT SANTA MARGARITA CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Santa Margarita water provider, Santa Margarita Water District, please use the information below.
By Phone: 949-459-6594
By Email: danielp@smwd.com
By Mail: 26111 Antonio Pkwy.
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA, 92688
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Santa Margarita Water District account to pay their Santa Margarita water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Santa Margarita Water District 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 Santa Margarita 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 Santa Margarita 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 SANTA MARGARITA WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Santa Margarita means you will often need to put the water in your name with Santa Margarita Water District. 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 Santa Margarita means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Santa Margarita Water District. 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

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Santa Margarita tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 30% Low
  • Water Pollution 40% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 70% High
  • Water Quality 60% High

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

Related FAQS

Santa Margarita 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 Santa Margarita's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

 

Through comprehensive water quality compliance testing programs,

 

your drinking water is constantly monitored from source to tap,

This report reflects

allowing Santa Margarita Water District to distribute well over

water quality testing

7.8 billion gallons of drinking water each year.

conducted during 2020

This ensures your drinking water meets or surpasses

 

 

all federal and state Safe Drinking Water mandates.

Middle Chiquita
Reservoirs

Your 2021 Water Quality Report

Since 1990, California public water utilities have been providing an annual Water Quality Report to their customers. This year’s

report covers calendar year 2020 drinking water quality testing and

reporting.

Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) vigilantly safeguards its water supply and, as in years past, the water delivered to your home meets or surpasses the quality standards required by federal and state regulatory agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW) are the agencies responsible for establishing and enforcing drinking water quality standards.

The Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC) supply treated imported surface water to SMWD and test for unregulated chemicals in our water supply. Unregulated chemical monitoring helps USEPA and DDW determine where certain chemicals occur and whether new standards need to be established for those chemicals to protect public health.

The

Colorado

River

Quality Water is Our Priority

Turn the tap and the water flows, as if by magic. Or so it seems. The reality is considerably different, however. Delivering high-quality drinking water to our customers is a scientific and engineer- ing feat that requires considerable effort and talent to ensure the water is always

available to drink.

Because tap water is highly regulated by state and federal laws, water treatment and distribution operators must be licensed and are required to complete on-the-job training and technical education before becoming a state certified operator.

Our licensed water professionals have an understanding of a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Some of the tasks they complete on a regular basis include:

  • Operating and maintaining equipment to maintain water quality;
  • Monitoring and inspecting machinery, meters, gauges, and operating conditions;
  • Conducting tests and inspections on water and evaluating the results;
  • Documenting and reporting test results and system operations to regulatory agencies; and
  • Serving our community through customer support, education, and outreach.

So, the next time you turn on your faucet, think of the skilled professionals who stand behind every drop.

Through drinking water quality testing programs carried out by IRWD and MWDSC for treated surface water and the SMWD for the distribution system, your drinking water is constantly monitored from source to tap for regulated and unregulated constituents. In most cases, SMWD goes beyond what is required by more frequent testing on chemicals that may have known health risks but do not have drinking water standards. The State allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concen- trations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though more than one year old, are representative.

￿

This report contains

important information about

your drinking water.

Translate it, or speak with someone

who understands it.

￿

Este informe contiene información

muy importante sobre su agua potable.

Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien

que lo entienda bien.

~ 2 ~

Constant Monitoring Ensures Continued Excellence

Sources of Supply

 

 

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA and

Your drinking water consists of imported treated surface water

the DDW prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain

contaminants in water provided by public water systems.

 

from MWDSC, as well as treated surface water from IRWD’s

 

Baker Water Treatment Plant, which utilizes surface water from

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and

both MWDSC and Santiago Reservoir (Irvine Lake). MWDSC’s

California law also establish limits for contaminants in bottled

imported water sources are the Colorado River and the State

water that must provide the same protection for public health.

Water Project, which draws water from the Sacramento-San

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be

Joaquin River Delta.

 

 

expected to contain at least small amounts of some contami-

Basic Information About

nants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily

Drinking Water Contaminants

indicate that water poses a health risk.

 

 

 

 

More

information

about

contaminants

and

The sources of drinking water

 

 

 

 

potential health effects can be obtained by calling the

(both tap water and bottled water)

 

 

 

 

USEPA’s

Safe Drinking Water

Hotline

at

include

rivers, lakes,

streams,

 

 

 

 

(800)

 

426-4791. or

check

their

website

at:

ponds,

reservoirs, springs and

 

 

 

 

 

www.epa.gov/safewater.

 

 

 

 

wells. As water travels over the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drinking Water Fluoridation

 

 

surface of land or through the

 

 

 

 

layers of the ground it dissolves

 

 

Fluoride has been added to U.S. drinking water

naturally occurring minerals and, in

 

 

supplies since 1945. Of the 50 largest cities in the

 

 

some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances

U.S., 43 fluoridate their drinking water.

 

 

 

resulting from the presence of animal and human activity.

In December 2007, MWDSC joined a majority of the nation’s

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

public water suppliers

in

 

 

 

 

S Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which

adding fluoride to drinking

 

 

 

 

may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,

water in order to prevent

 

 

 

 

agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

tooth decay. MWDSC was

 

 

 

 

S Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can

in compliance

with

all

 

 

 

 

provisions of the

State's

 

 

 

 

be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff,

 

 

 

 

fluoridation system require-

 

 

 

 

industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas

 

 

 

 

ments. Fluoride

levels

in

 

 

 

 

production, mining and farming.

 

 

 

 

drinking water are limited under California state regulations at a

S Organic chemical contaminants,

maximum dosage of 2 parts per million.

 

 

 

including synthetic

and volatile

 

 

 

Additional information about the fluoridation of drinking water

organic chemicals, are by-products

is available on these websites:

 

 

 

 

of industrial processes and petro-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

leum production, and can also

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

come from gasoline stations, urban

1 (800) 232-4636 S www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/

 

stormwater runoff, agricultural appli-

 

State Water Resources Control Board,

 

cation and septic systems.

 

 

Division of Drinking Water

 

 

S Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring

 

www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/

 

or be the result of oil and gas production or mining activities.

 

certlic/drinkingwater/Fluoridation.html

 

S Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of

For more information about MWDSC’s fluoridation program,

sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff and

please contact Edgar G. Dymally at (213) 217-5709 or at

residential uses.

 

 

edymally@mwdh2o.com.

 

 

 

 

 

~ 3 ~

To Safeguard Against Issues that May Affect Your Health

We Comply with All State & Federal Water Quality Regulations

Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts

Disinfection of drinking water was one of the major public health advances in the 20th century. Disinfection was a major factor in reducing waterborne disease epidemics caused by pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and it remains an essential part of drinking water treatment today.

Water imported from IRWD and MWDSC contain chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, as a drinking water disinfectant. Chloramines are effective killers of bacteria and other microorganisms that may cause diseases.

Chlorine disinfection has almost completely eliminated from our lives the risks of microbial waterborne diseases. Chlorine is added to your drinking water at the source (surface water

treatment plant). Enough chlorine is added so that it does not completely dissipate through the distribution system pipes. This chlorine helps to prevent the growth of bacteria in the pipes that carry drinking water from the source into your home.

However, chlorine can react with naturally-occurring materials in the water to form unintended chemical byproducts, called disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which may pose health risks. A major challenge is how to balance the risks from microbial pathogens and DBPs. It is important to provide protection from these microbial pathogens while simultaneously ensuring decreasing health risks from disinfection byproducts. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the USEPA to develop rules to achieve these goals.

Tr i h a l o m e t h a n e s (THMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) are the most common and most studied DBPs found in drinking water treated with chlorine. In 1979, the USEPA set the

maximum amount of total THMs allowed in drinking water at 100 parts per billion as an annual running average. Effective in January 2002, the Stage 1 Disinfectants / Disinfection Byproducts Rule lowered the total THM maximum contaminant level to 80 parts per billion and added HAAs to the list of regulated chemicals in drinking water.

Stage 2 of the regulation was finalized by USEPA in 2006, which further controls allowable levels of DBPs in drinking water without compromising disinfection itself. A required distribution system evaluation was completed in 2008 and a Stage 2 monitoring plan has been approved by DDW. Full Stage 2 compliance began in 2012. Your drinking water complies with the Stage 2 Disinfectants / Disinfection Byproducts Rule.

Chloramines form less disinfectant by-products. People who use dialysis machines may want to take special precautions and consult their physician for appropriate type of water treatment. Customers who maintain fish ponds, tanks or aquaria should also make necessary adjustments in water quality treatment, as these disinfectants are toxic to fish.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic organism that, when ingested, can cause diarrhea, fever, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The organism comes from animal and/or human wastes and may be in surface water. MWDSC tested their source water and treated surface water for Cryptosporidium in 2020 but did not detect it. As a safeguard, Cryptosporidium is eliminated from the water using an effective treatment combi-

nation including sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.

The USEPA and the federal Centers for Disease Control guide- lines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water hotline at (800) 426-4791 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time (7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in California).

Immunocompromised People

Some people may be more vulner- able to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- compromised people, such as those with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have had organ transplants, people with

HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

~ 4 ~

2020 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Treated Surface Water

 

 

PHG

Average

Range of

MCL

Typical Source

Chemical

MCL

(MCLG)

Amount

Detections

Violation?

of Chemical

Radiologicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha Radiation (pCi/L)

15

(0)

ND

ND – 3

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

Beta Radiation (pCi/L)

50

(0)

ND

ND – 7

No

Decay of Natural and Man-made Deposits

Uranium (pCi/L)

20

0.43

2

1

3

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

Inorganic Chemicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum (ppm)

1

0.6

0.137

ND – 0.26

No

Treatment Process Residue, Natural Deposits

Barium (ppm)

1

2

0.107

0.107

No

Refinery Discharge, Erosion of Natural Deposits

Bromate (ppb)

10

0.1

1.9

ND – 1.3

No

Byproduct of Drinking Water Ozonation

Fluoride (ppm)

2

1

0.7

0.5

0.9

No

Water Additive for Dental Health

Secondary Standards* – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum (ppb)

200*

600

137

ND – 260

No

Treatment Process Residue, Natural Deposits

Chloride (ppm)

500*

n/a

94

93

94

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Color (color units)

15*

n/a

1

 

1

 

No

Naturally-occurring Organic Materials

Odor (threshold odor number)

3*

n/a

2

 

2

 

No

Naturally-occurring Organic Materials

Specific Conductance (µmho/cm)

1,600*

n/a

970

964

975

No

Substances that Form Ions in Water

Sulfate (ppm)

500*

n/a

216

215

217

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

1,000*

n/a

592

582

603

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Unregulated Chemicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

118

117

120

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Boron (ppm)

NL = 1

n/a

0.13

0.13

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Calcium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

66

65

67

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Hardness, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

265

261

269

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Hardness, total (grains/gallon)

Not Regulated

n/a

15

15

16

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Magnesium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

26

25

26

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

N-nitrosodimethylamine (ppt)

NL = 10

n/a

3.1

3.1

n/a

Byproduct of Drinking Water Chloramination,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Processes

pH (pH units)

Not Regulated

n/a

8.1

8.1

n/a

Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Potassium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

4.6

4.5

4.7

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Sodium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

96

93

98

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Total Organic Carbon (ppm)

TT

n/a

2.4

2.2

2.7

n/a

Various Natural and Man-made Sources

ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million; ppt = parts per trillion; pCi/L = picoCuries per liter; µmho/cm = micromhos per centimeter;

 

 

ND = not detected; MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level; (MCLG) = federal MCL Goal; PHG = California Public Health Goal;

 

 

 

 

 

NL = Notification Level; n/a = not applicable; TT = treatment technique

*Chemical is regulated by a secondary standard.

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity – combined filter effluent

Treatment

Turbidity

TT

Typical Source

Metropolitan Water District Diemer Filtration Plant

Technique

Measurements

Violation?

of Chemical

1)

Highest single turbidity measurement

0.3 NTU

0.04

No

Soil Runoff

2)

Percentage of samples less than 0.3 NTU

95%

100%

No

Soil Runoff

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water, an indication of particulate matter, some of which might include harmful microorganisms.

NTU = nephelometric turbidity units

Low turbidity in Metropolitan’s treated water is a good indicator of effective filtration. Filtration is called a ”treatment technique” (TT).

 

 

 

A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of chemicals in drinking water that are difficult and sometimes impossible to measure directly.

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Chemicals Requiring Monitoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical

Notification Level

PHG

Average Amount

Range of Detections

Most Recent Sampling Date

Manganese (ppb)**

SMCL = 50

n/a

2.2

 

1.1 – 4.8

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMCL = Secondary MCL

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Manganese is regulated with a secondary standard of 50 ppb but was not detected, based on the detection limit for purposes of reporting of 20 ppb. Manganese was included as part of the unregulated chemicals requiring monitoring.

Table Legend

What is a Water Quality Goal?

In addition to mandatory water quality standards, USEPA and the DDW have set voluntary water quality goals for some contaminants. Water quality goals are often set at such low levels that they are not achievable in practice and are not directly measurable. Nevertheless, these goals provide useful guidance and directions for water management practices.

The charts in this report include three types of water quality goals:

  • 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.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs are set by USEPA.
  • Public Health Goals (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 – Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

What are Water Quality Standards?

Drinking water standards established by the USEPA and DDW set limits for substances that may affect consumer health or aesthetic qualities of drinking water. The charts in this report show the following types of water quality standards:

  • 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.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer’s tap.
  • Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
  • Primary Drinking Water Standard: MCLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements and water treatment requirements.
  • 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 chemicals in drinking water that are difficult and sometimes impossible to measure directly.

~ 5 ~

2020 Irvine Ranch Water District – Baker Water Treatment Plant

 

 

PHG

Average

Range of

MCL

Typical Source

Chemical

MCL

(MCLG)

Amount

Detections

Violation?

of Chemical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radiologicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beta Radiation (pCi/L)

50

(0)

6

4.8 – 7.7

No

Decay of Natural and Man-made Deposits

Uranium (pCi/L)

20

0.43

1.1

1.1

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inorganic Chemicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenic (ppb)

10

0.004

2.23

2.23

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine Dioxide (ppb)

MRDL = 800

MRDLG = 800

<20

ND – 80

No

Drinking Water Disinfectant Added for Treatment

Chlorite (ppm)

1.0

0.05

0.16

ND – 0.57

No

Byproduct of Drinking Water Chlorination

Fluoride (ppm)

2.0

1

0.29

0.29

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Additive for Dental Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secondary Standards* – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride (ppm)

500*

n/a

64.2

64.2

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Manganese (ppb)

50*

n/a

<20

ND – 36.8

No

Leaching from Natural Deposits

Odor (threshold odor number)

3*

n/a

2

2

No

Naturally-occurring Organic Materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Conductance (µmho/cm)

1,600*

n/a

909

909

No

Substances that Form Ions in Water

Sulfate (ppm)

500*

n/a

200

200

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

1,000*

n/a

574

574

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity (NTU)

5*

n/a

0.1

0.1

No

Soil Runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Chemicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

172

172

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Boron (ppm)

NL = 1

n/a

0.127

0.127

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Calcium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

74.4

74.4

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardness, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

308

308

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Hardness, total (grains/gallon)

Not Regulated

n/a

18

18

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Magnesium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

29.7

29.7

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pH (pH units)

Not Regulated

n/a

7.7

7.7

n/a

Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Potassium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

4.7

4.7

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Sodium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

71

71

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon (ppm)

TT

n/a

3.1

3.1

n/a

Various Natural and Man-made Sources

 

ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million; pCi/L = picoCuries per liter; µmho/cm = micromhos per centimeter; ND = not detected; NTU = nephelometric turbidity units;

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level; (MCLG) = federal MCL Goal; MRDL = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; MRDLG = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal;

 

PHG = California Public Health Goal NL = Notification Level; n/a = not applicable; TT = treatment technique

*Chemical is regulated by a secondary standard.

 

Turbidity – combined filter effluent

Treatment

Turbidity

TT

Typical Source

Irvine Ranch Water District Baker Water Treatment Plant

Technique

Measurements

Violation?

of Chemical

1)

Highest single turbidity measurement

0.1 NTU

0.064

No

Soil Runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)

Percentage of samples less than 0.3 NTU

95%

100%

No

Soil Runoff

 

 

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water, an indication of particulate matter, some of which might include harmful microorganisms.

NTU = nephelometric turbidity units

Low turbidity in the treated water is a good indicator of effective filtration. Filtration is called a ”treatment technique” (TT).

 

 

A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of chemicals in drinking water that are difficult and sometimes impossible to measure directly.

 

Source Water Assessments

USEPA requires water suppliers to complete one Source Water Assessment (SWA) that utilizes information collected in the watershed sanitary surveys. MWDSC completed its SWA in December 2002. The most recent SWA for IRWD’s Santiago Reservoir was completed in 2001. The SWA is used to evaluate the vulnerability of water sources to contamination and helps determine whether more protective measures are needed.

Every five years, water suppliers are required by DDW to examine possible sources of drinking water contamination in their water sources. The watershed sanitary survey for MWDSC’s Colorado River supply was recently updated in 2015 and for the State Water Project supply in 2016. The IRWD’s watershed sanitary survey for Santiago

Reservoir (Irvine Lake) was updated in 2019.

Water from the Colorado River is considered to be most vulnerable to contamination from recreation, urban/stormwater runoff, increasing urbanization in the watershed, and wastewater. Water supplies from Northern California’s

State Water Project are most vulnerable to

contamination from urban/stormwater runoff, wild-

life, agriculture, recreation, and wastewater. Water

supplies from the Santiago Reservoir are most

vulnerable to contamination from septic systems

and wildfires.

Copies of the most recent summary of either Watershed Sanitary Surveys or the SWAs can be obtained by calling SMWD Customer Service at (949) 459-6400.

~ 6 ~

2020 Santa Margarita Water District Distribution System Water Quality

Disinfection Byproducts

MCL (MRDL/MRDLG)

Average Amount

Range of

Detections

MCL Violation?

Typical Source of Contaminant

Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)

80

28

19

33

No

Byproducts of Chlorine Disinfection

Haloacetic Acids (ppb)

60

8

ND – 13

No

Byproducts of Chlorine Disinfection

Chlorine Residual (ppm)

(4 / 4)

1.48

1.13

1.71

No

Disinfectant Added for Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aesthetic Quality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color (color units)

15*

1

ND – 1

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

Odor (threshold odor number)

3*

1

 

1

 

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

Turbidity (NTU)

5*

<0.1

ND – 0.5

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

1,000*

592

549

– 627

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Chemicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardness, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

278

260

– 292

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Hardness, total (grains/gallon)

Not Regulated

16

15.2

– 17.1

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Alkalinity, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

127

119

– 141

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Eight locations in the distribution system are tested quarterly for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids; forty-three locations are tested monthly for color, odor, and turbidity.

 

MRDL = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; MRDLG = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal

 

 

 

 

 

*Contaminant is regulated by a secondary standard to maintain aesthetic qualities (taste, odor, color).

 

 

 

 

 

Bacterial Quality

MCL

MCLG

Highest Monthly Percent Positives

MCL Violation?

Typical Source of Contaminant

Total Coliform Bacteria

5.0%

0

1.0%

No

Naturally Present in the Environment

No more than 5.0% of the monthly samples may be positive for total coliform bacteria.

 

 

The occurrence of 2 consecutive total coliform positive samples, one of which contains fecal coliform/E. coli, constitutes an acute MCL violation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead and Copper Action Levels at Residential Taps

 

Action Level

Public

90th Percentile

Sites Exceeding AL /

AL

Typical Source

 

(AL)

Health Goal

Value

Number of Sites

Violation?

of Contaminant

Lead (ppb)

15

0.2

ND

1 / 61

No

Corrosion of Household Plumbing

Copper (ppm)

1.3

0.3

0.11

0 / 61

No

Corrosion of Household Plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every three years, at least 50 residences are tested for lead and copper at-the-tap. Santa Margarita Water District tested 61 homes in the most recent set of samples collected in 2018. Lead was detected in one sample; one exceeded the action level (AL). Copper was detected in 22 samples; none exceeded the AL.

A regulatory action level is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

In 2020, no schools submitted a request to be sampled for lead.

Unregulated Chemicals Requiring Monitoring in the Distribution System

Chemical

Notification Level

PHG

Average Amount

Range of Detections

Most Recent Sampling Date

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (ppb)

n/a

n/a

7.23

2.73 – 12.8

2020

Haloacetic acids (HAA6Br) (ppb)

n/a

n/a

5.57

3.82 – 7.38

2020

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) (ppb)

n/a

n/a

11.7

6.17 – 18.2

2020

About Lead in Tap Water

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 lead service lines and home plumbing.

SMWD 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, (800) 426-4791, or at: www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Total Coliform Rule

This Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) reflects changes in drinking water regulatory requirements instituted during 2016. All water systems are required to comply with the state Total Coliform Rule. Effective April 1,

2016, all water systems are also required to comply with the federal Revised Total Coliform Rule.

The new federal rule protects public health by ensuring the integrity of the drinking water distribution system by monitoring for the presence of micro-

bials (i.e., total coliform and E. coli bacteria). The USEPA anticipates greater public health protection as the new rule requires water systems that are vulnerable to microbial contamination to identify and resolve potential issues.

Water systems that exceed a specified frequency of total coliform occurrences are required to conduct an assessment to determine if any sanitary defects exist. If found, these must be corrected by the water system.

~ 7 ~

P A C I F I C
O C E A N
Pyramid Lake
BAKERSFIELD
SAN FRANCISCO

Shasta

TrinityLake

Lake

REDDING

Have you ever wondered where your water comes from? Here in the Santa Margarita Water District, our water is surface water imported by the MWDSC and IRWD. MWDSC’s imported water sources are the Colorado River and the State Water Project, which draws water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Water from Northern California travels to us through a complex delivery system known as the California State Water Project. Designed and built in the 1960s, the State Water Project is one of the largest public water and power utilities in the world, providing drinking water for more than 25 million people statewide.

THE

CALIFORNIA

AQUEDUCT

Lake

Oroville

Sacramento

River

SACRAMENTO

Managed by the Metropoli- tan Water District of Southern California, the Colorado River Aqueduct begins near Parker Dam on the Colorado River. There, the Gene Pumping Station lifts the water over 300 feet, and it begins its 242 mile journey to Lake Mathews, just outside the City of Corona. Along the way, the water passes through two reservoirs, five pumping stations, 62 miles of canals, and 176 miles

of tunnels, buried conduit and siphons. All told, the water is lifted four times, a total of more than 1,300 feet.

Feather

River

Folsom

Lake

New

Hogan

Reservoir

The

Bay-Delta

Managed by the California Department of Water Resources, the project stretches over 700 miles, from Lake Oroville in the north to Lake Perris in the south. Water stored in Lake Oroville, Folsom Lake, and other tributaries, and fed by snow melt from the Sierra Mountains, flows into the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and from there into reservoirs in the Bay-Delta region.

From the Bay-Delta, giant pumps lift the water into the 444-mile-long California Aqueduct, there to flow southward to cities and farms in central and Southern California. Composed mainly of concrete-lined canals, the Aqueduct also includes over 20 miles of tunnels, more than 130 miles of pipelines, and 27 miles of siphons. Along the way, the water is pumped 2,882 feet

over the Tehachapi Mountains. The Edmonston Pumping Plant

alone lifts millions of gallons a day up 1,926 feet, the highest single water lift in the world.

San

Joaquin

River

Millerton

Lake

California Aqueduct

STATE WATER PROJECT

Is it any wonder the State Water Project is the largest single consumer of power in the

State of California?

Lake

Isabella

Chrisman

Pumping

Plant

Silverwood Lake

After its journey across the

Mojave Desert, the water descends into the Coachella Valley and through the San Gorgonio Pass. Near Cabazon, the aqueduct flows underground, passing beneath the San Jacinto Mountains and continuing until it reaches its terminus at Lake Mathews. From there, 156 miles of distribution lines, along with eight more tunnels, delivers the water throughout Southern California.

Castaic

Lake

LOS

ANGELES

Lake

Mathews

ORANGE

COUNTY

SAN

DIEGO

Lake Perris

Gene

Pumping

Station

Colorado

River

Total
Dissolved Solids
Average Amount: 592 mg/L
Range: 549 – 627 mg/L
Alkalinity
Average Amount: 127 mg/L
Range: 119 – 141 mg/L
Hardness
Average Amount: 278 mg/L
Range: 260 – 292 mg/L

Total Dissolved Solids, Alkalinity, and Hardness

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is an indicator of the aesthetic characteristics of drinking water, and a gauge of a broad array of chemical constituents within the water. It is a measure of all the combined inorganic and organic substances, and while it is not associated with any health effects, TDS can impact the appearance and taste of water.

TDS is mainly inorganic salts, as well as a small amount of organic matter. Common inorganic salts found in water include calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, along with nitrates, chlorides and sulfates. These minerals originate from a variety of sources, both natural and through human activity.

Alone, dissolved solids are usually not a health hazard. Some people, in fact, buy mineral water, which

has naturally elevated levels of dissolved solids. The USEPA includes TDS as a secondary standard, meaning it is a voluntary guideline for aesthetic and cosmetic effects. Kept within the established guidelines, TDS can impart

a favorable taste to water. Too low, however, can give water a flat taste.

There are issues, however, with high levels of TDS. Increased TDS concentra- tions can produce hard water, which stains household fixtures, corrodes pipes, and imparts a metallic taste.

Within the SMWD system, however, you can be assured that TDS are kept well within the established secondary standards.

Where Do We Use Water the Most?

Outdoor watering of lawns and gardens makes up approximately 60% of home water use. By reducing your outdoor water use — by either cutting back on irrigation or planting more drought tolerant landscaping — you can dramatically reduce your overall water use.

Save the most where you use the most: Make your outdoor use efficient.

Water Conservation is Always a Priority

Southern California has an arid climate and wise water use needs to become a part of everyone’s daily lives. For as finite as our water resources are, they get smaller every year. Simple water saving acts like the ones listed here can save countless gallons of water every day.

  • Soak pots and pans instead of letting water run while you scrub them clean. This both saves water and makes the job easier.
  • Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator. This can save gallons of water every day and it’s always cold!
  • Plug the sink instead of running water to rinse your razor or wet your toothbrush. This can save upwards of 300 gallons of water a month.
  • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off sidewalks and driveways.
    It takes very little time to sweep and the water savings quickly adds up.
  • Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray, and broken sprinkler heads and repair promptly. This can save countless gallons each time you water.
  • Water plants in the early morning. It reduces evaporation and ensures deeper watering.
  • Check your toilets for leaks and make sure to close showers and faucets properly. This can save countless gallons of water.

How Can You Learn More?

There’s a wealth of information on the internet about Drinking Water Quality and water issues in general. Some good sites to begin your own research are:

Metropolitan Water District of So. California:

www.mwdh2o.com

California Department of Water Resources:

www.water.ca.gov

The Water Education Foundation: www.watereducation.org To learn more about Water Conservation & Rebate Information: http://smwd.com/conservation

And to see the Aqueducts in action, checkout these two videos: Wings Over the State Water Project: youtu.be/8A1v1Rr2neU Wings Over the Colorado Aqueduct: youtu.be/KipMQh5t0f4

We Invite You

or information about this report, or

to Learn More

Fyour water quality in general, please

About Your

contact Customer Service at (949) 459-

6420 or custservice@smwd.com.

Waters Quality

The Santa Margarita Water District

 

has two Regular Board meetings

each month. Meeting details can be found on the District’s website at https://smwd.com/meetings.

Please feel free to participate in these meetings.

For more information about the health effects of the listed contaminants in the following tables, call the USEPA hotline at

  1. 426-4791. The USEPA also maintains a water-related website at www.epa.gov/safewater.

26111 Antonio Parkway

Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 (949) 459-6400 S www.smwd.com

Contaminants


Santa Margarita Water District

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: 154231
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 16

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Bromoform
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Trichloroacetic acid

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Bromochloroacetic acid
  • Chlorate
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Monobromoacetic acid
  • Strontium
  • 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

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