Water Quality: Exceeding Your Expectations

SMWD is committed to providing customers with the highest quality drinking water.  SMWD’s water supply is primarily sourced from surface water imported by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California from the Colorado River and the Sacramento Bay Delta in Northern California with some local groundwater being utilized as well.

We are vigilant in ensuring that the water we supply to our customers meets or exceeds the standards required by state and federal regulatory agencies, which include the USEPA and State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW).

State & Federal Standards

The national EPA sets federal standards for water quality for public health purposes. Additionally, the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW) enforces State water quality standards, which in many cases are even more restrictive than the Federal standards. DDW has approved specific test sites for SMWD to monitor water quality and regularly perform testing with protocols and schedules prescribed by DDW. These tests confirm that SMWD water is in full compliance District-wide with these standards.

SMWD transmission facilities conform to all requirements of the American Water Works Association, which has for more than 100 years developed standard requirements for materials, equipment, and practices used in water treatment and supply. SMWD also follows the Standard Plans for Public Works Construction (the “Greenbook”) developed under the oversight of Public Works Standards, Inc. State Uniform Building Codes govern all private structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems constructed in California. Cities and counties are required by State law to enforce these standards in issuing all private building and occupancy permits.

Testing

The District conducts approximately 50,000+ laboratory tests each year across the District, representing all sources, storage reservoirs and pressure zones. SMWD’s laboratory is certified by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.

Reporting

Water Quality Report / Consumer Confidence Report

The District produces an annual Water Quality Report to share the results of water quality testing from the previous year.  You can download the current Water Quality Report here or pick one up in person at the District’s office. 

Public Health Goals

The District produces a Public Health Goal (PHG) report every three years to share the results of SMWD testing. A PHG is the level of a chemical contaminant in drinking water that does not pose a significant risk to health. PHGs are not regulatory standards. State law requires to set drinking water standards for chemical contaminants as close to the corresponding PHG as is economically and technologically feasible. In some cases, it may not be feasible to set the drinking water standard for a contaminant at the same level as the PHG. The technology to treat the chemicals may not be available, or the cost of treatment may be very high. These are all factors that must be considered when developing new drinking water standards. You can download the current Public Health Goal Report here or view previous reports here.

If you have any additional questions regarding your water quality, please contact us at 949-459-6420.