Where can I find more information on the quality of my water? Water providers with chromium-6 levels above the state standard are required to perform additional treatment, and have until 2020 to comply with the regulation. One part per billion equals about one drop in 10,000 gallons. This is the maximum amount that state health officials will allow in drinking water, after taking into account public health benefits and cost of implementation.Ĭalifornia’s standard is 10 parts per billion, which is more stringent than the level set by the U.S. More information can be found on the CalEPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) website: What is chromium-6?Ĭhromium-6, also known as hexavalent chromium, is a mineral that occurs naturally in rocks, plants and groundwater.Ĭalifornia lowered the maximum contaminant level, or MCL, for chromium-6 in 2014. Some people who drink water containing hexavalentĬhromium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. The state is regulating chromium-6 to reduce the potential health risk to some people who drink the water over 75 years, and continues to monitor any possible long-term effects. It is still safe to drink, cook with and use your tap water. There is no immediate health threat, even in areas with levels of chromium-6 above 10 parts per billion. The results shown in the table below indicate that Coachella Water Authority and Sanitary District must treat its supplies to comply with the regulation.įREQUENLY ASKED QUESTIONS Are there health concerns related to chromium-6? WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR WATER QUALITY?Įnclosed you will find information about drinking water testing and the state health standard for chromium-6. Additionally, it will require $2-3 million per year in operational and maintenance cost, which will require rates to increase. The cost of an ion exchange system on the well sites will range from $10-$16 million. To lower the burden on ratepayers, the Water Authority is pursuing all possible grant funding. The Water Authority has selected a conventional ion exchange system to reduce chromium-6 levels and avoid fines for non-compliance with the new state standard. Construction is expected to begin in 2017. WHAT IS COACHELLA DOING TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS?Ĭoachella Water Authority and Sanitary District worked proactively to meet the new chromium-6 standard even before it was adopted by the State. Bottled water can be purchased at the following locations: Smart & Final, Food 4 Less, 99 Cents Only, Dollar Tree. In other states and in bottled water, chromium-6 levels may be as high as 100 parts per billion and still meet federal drinking water standards set by EPA. In the meantime, your tap water is safe to use and drink. The Coachella Water Authority has been working hard to find the most economical way to treat five of its wells that are impacted by this new regulation. We know you may have heard about chromium-6 in the news lately, particularly since California is the first and only state in the nation to set a drinking water standard for this naturally occurring mineral.
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