2006
Water Quality Report
Evergreen, Edenvale, Coyote Area
Download the 2006
Water Quality Report (PDF format, 51 KB)
Download the 2006
Water Quality Data (PDF format, 40 KB)
Significance of This Report
This report contains important information about your drinking water. We hope it will provide the facts and perspective you need to make an informed evaluation of your tap water.
Water delivered in 2005 by the San José Municipal
Water System again met all drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and California Department of Health Services (DHS).
This web page summarizes last year's water quality. Included are details
about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares
to USEPA and DHS standards.
Safeguarding Your Water Supply
Protecting our water supply is important to ensure that water is safe from contamination and aesthetically pleasing for use. Protection begins in the watersheds, where people and their activities can be a major cause of source contamination. Contamination requires additional treatment, which increases the cost to deliver water to your tap.
Conserving water, during a drought or no drought, is a cost-effective way to ensure a reliable supply of water. San José Municipal Water provides FREE low flow showerheads and kitchen/bathroom faucet aerators that help decrease the amount of water used. Come by our office to pick one up and learn more about lowering your water bill. Conserving energy is also important in ensuring a reliable supply of water. Rolling blackouts may affect pump stations used to move water throughout the area.
Participating in public meetings and events regarding water issues gives decision makers the public's perspective and a chance for you to be directly involved in protecting your water supply.
Join us in our efforts to conserve and safeguard our natural resources. Visit the following websites for more tips, rebates, free services and products, and information on future public meetings and events:
www.sjmuniwater.com
www.sanjoseca.gov
www.valleywater.org
www.ci.sf.ca.us/puc
www.epa.gov/safewater/
www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/
Understanding that drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants will help you make an informed choice about your drinking water. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate a health risk. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their healthcare providers. USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
The Source of Your Water
Across America, 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 material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
- Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come
from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock
operations, and wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring
or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production mining, or farming.
- Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources
such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
- Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic
and volatile organic chemicals, that are byproducts of industrial processes
and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban
stormwater runoff, agricultural application and septic systems.
- Radioactive contaminants, which 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,
USEPA and DHS prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants
in water provided by public water systems. Department regulations also
establish limits for contaminants in bottled drinking water that must
provide the same protection for public health.
San José Municipal Water System Sources
We serve the Evergreen, Alviso, North San José,
Edenvale, and Coyote communities of the City of San José. This
report covers Evergreen, Edenvale and Coyote service areas.
Evergreen Service Area:
San José Municipal Water purchases treated surface
water from the Santa Clara Valley Water District and delivers it to our
Evergreen customers. The District's source water is mainly imported from
the South Bay Aqueduct, Lake Del Valle, and San Luis Reservoir, which
all draw water from Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta watershed. The District's
local water sources include Anderson and Calero Reservoirs. From these
reservoirs, water is pumped to the Santa Teresa Water Treatment Plant
in San José. The District's source water is vulnerable to potential
contamination from a variety of land use practices, such as agricultural
and urban runoff, recreational activities, livestock grazing and residential
and industrial development. The imported sources are also vulnerable to
wastewater treatment plant discharges, seawater intrusion, and wildland
fires in open space areas. In addition, local sources are also vulnerable
to potential contamination from commercial stables and historic mining
practices. No contaminant associated with any of these activities has
been detected in the District's treated water. The water treatment plants
provide multiple barriers for physical removal and disinfection of contaminants.
For additional information, please visit the District website at www.valleywater.org.
Evergreen Well Fields (Wells 2, 3, 4, & 5):
Ground water from local, deep water wells is available
for emergency supply. Evergreen wells were not used in 2005. A source
water assessment for the Evergreen wells was conducted in January of 2003
and the report is available at our office for review.
Edenvale and Coyote Service Areas
Edenvale Well Field (Wells 11, 12, & 13):
Groundwater from deep water wells provides 100% of the
supply. An assessment of the drinking water sources for the Edenvale service
area was conducted in January of 2003. Although the source is considered
vulnerable to chemical and petroleum processing activities, no contaminants
have been detected associated with these activities. A copy of the assessment
is available at our office. In addition, there was no detection of contaminants
under the Federal Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR). The
UCMR monitoring helps USEPA determine where certain contaminants occur
and whether the contaminants need to be regulated. For additional information
regarding the type of contaminants tested, please contact a water quality
engineer at (408) 277-3671.
Coyote Well Field (Wells 21, 22, & 23):
Groundwater from deep-water wells provides 100% of the supply. Potable use of Coyote Valley's water supply started in 2005. Previously Coyote wells were used for landscaping and industrial use only. An assessment of the drinking water sources for Coyote service area was conducted in June 2004. Although the source is considered potentially vulnerable to agricultural drainage, illegal activities/unauthorized dumping, storage tank leaks and sewer collection systems, no contaminant has been detected associated with these activities. Precautions taken during construction in combination with the local hydrology have provided protection against contamination of the local ground waters at the existing well locations.
Distribution facilities in all service areas deliver
treated surface water or groundwater through pipe mains, enclosed reservoirs,
and pumping stations.
How Water Is Tested and Reported
Water at various locations in the distribution system
is tested weekly by a private, state-certified laboratory using the latest
testing procedures and equipment. During 2005, more than 2,000 samples
were collected throughout the distribution system. In addition to these
tests, the District performs its own water quality analysis of the source
and treated water. Lab analysis was performed for many constituents other
than those listed in the tables. Only chemicals detected in the tap water
are shown in the tables. Those chemicals not detected in your tap water
are not included. For a complete list of all the chemicals analyzed, please
contact a water quality engineer at (408) 277-3671.
Test results from our distribution analysis and those
of the District are shown in Tables 1-4. Some of the data, though representative,
are more than one year old. This is because DHS allows water utilities
to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations
of these contaminants do not change frequently.
Water Quality
Disinfection of surface water is necessary
in destroying disease-causing organisms for the protection of public health.
In Evergreen, water is disinfected using chloramine (chlorine and ammonia).
Except for a slight chlorinous taste or odor, chloramine is not harmful
to the general public. However, they must be removed for kidney
dialysis machines and aquariums. If you are receiving kidney
dialysis treatment, please contact your doctor or dialysis technician
and for pet fish, contact your local fish store for more information about
special water treatment.
Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected at low levels in surface water sources. These are parasitic microbes found in surface water throughout the U.S. Although filtration removes them, most commonly-used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100% removal. Current test methods do not allow us to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease. Ingestion may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-compromised people are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness. We encourage immuno-compromised individuals to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least minute amounts of some contaminants including Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The presence of small amounts 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 Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800)-426-4791.
Fluoride is added to the naturally occurring level in Evergreen to help prevent dental caries in consumers. The Evergreen community approved fluoridation with an advisory vote in the early 1960s. The fluoride levels in the treated water are maintained within a range of 0.7 to 1.3 ppm as required by State regulations.
At present, additional fluoride is not added in Edenvale or Coyote service areas. Consult your dentist if you are considering additional fluoride supplements or treatments.
Hardness consists mainly of calcium and magnesium salts. Although it does
not pose a health risk, it may be considered undesirable for other uses.
Some benefits in reducing hardness or water softening are reduction in
soap usage, longer life for water heaters, and a decrease in incrustation
of pipes. Some disadvantages are increase in sodium intake (depends on
type of softener used), requires proper maintenance/servicing, and may
adversely affect plants and landscaping. To convert hardness from ppm
to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1.
Radon is a radioactive gas that you can't see, taste, or smell. It is
found throughout the U.S. Radon can move up through the ground and into
a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon can build up
to high levels in all types of homes. Radon can also get into indoor air
when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other
household activities. Compared to radon entering the home through soil,
radon entering the home through tap water will in most cases be a small
source of radon in indoor air. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing
air containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing
radon may also cause increased risk of stomach cancer. If you are concerned
about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive
and easy. For additional information, call your State radon program or
call EPA's Radon Hotline (800-SOS-RADON).
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness
of the water. It is monitored because it is a good indicator of water
quality. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.
The turbidity standard for unfiltered supplies is 5 NTU (Hetch Hetchy).
Filtered water turbidity must be less than 0.3 NTU 95% of the time and
at no time higher than 1 NTU. All sources met the standards 100% of the
time.
Definitions
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The
highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. Primary
MCL's 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 (aesthetics).
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 (MRDL):
The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be
exceeded at the consumer's tap.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG):
The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment below which there
is no known or expected health risk. MRDLGs are set by the USEPA.
Notification Level (NL): Health-based advisory levels established by the California Department of Health Services for chemicals in drinking water that lack maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). 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 Standard (PDWS):
MCLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and
reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required
process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration
of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements
which a water system must follow.
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC):
Wholesaler of treated surface water that is delivered to Alviso and North
San José service areas by SJMWS.
Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD):
Wholesaler of treated surface water that is delivered to the Evergreen
service area by SJMWS.
Source Water: Raw water that has not
been treated to meet drinking water standards.
Treated Water: Drinking water that
has been treated to meet EPA and DHS drinking water standards.
Who To Call For More Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this
report or the quality of your water, please contact a water quality engineer
at (408) 277-3671.
For more information about contaminants and potential health effects
call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791.
2005 Statistics
Population Served |
91,500 |
| Number of Metered Customers |
24,278 |
| Water Service Area |
28 square miles |
| Water Main |
270 miles |
| Annual Water Production |
5,326 million gal. |
| Maximum Daily Production |
26.3 million gal. |
The Municipal Water System is a City-owned water utility retailer that has served customers since 1961, more than 40 years. We are committed to delivering a reliable water supply that meets or exceeds all drinking water health standards. Our office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays. For more information, call Customer Service at (408) 535-3500 or send
us an email.
Updated 8-10-06 |
