Contact: Jack Hawks; jhawks@cwacontent.local; (415) 561-9650 (o), (415) 305-4393 (c)
SAN FRANCISCO–Annual Water Quality Reports, now available to water utility customers online, demonstrate that once again California’s regulated water utilities delivered high-quality water to customers during the past year. These reports compare drinking water quality to state and federal standards and are required annually of all water providers–both regulated and municipal alike.
“Regulated water utilities are proud of their ongoing track record of meeting or surpassing state and federal water quality standards, while continuing to deliver a reliable supply of water at a reasonable cost,” said Jack Hawks, executive director of the California Water Agency, which represents regulated water utilities throughout California. “Water quality reports continue to show their ongoing commitment to customers and the communities they serve.”
The California State Water Resources Control Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are charged with developing and enforcing state and federal drinking water standards, which are the same for both regulated and municipal water providers.
The utilities’ state-certified water quality staff tests water for 200-plus contaminants on a daily, weekly, monthly and/or annual basis. With technological advances, contaminants can now be detected down to the microscopic levels.
California’s severe drought is adding new challenges to maintaining high-quality drinking water as many water providers switch to alternate supplies. In response, many water utilities are testing supplies even more frequently and boosting disinfection where needed.
“Regulated water utilities take the quality of the water they deliver very seriously,” Hawks said. “When it comes to complying with strict regulations for delivering clean, quality drinking water, they’ve consistently led the entire water industry in drinking water compliance.”
According to a 2011 report by Water Intelligence Magazine, which analyzed U.S. EPA data on serious SDWA violators, regulated water utilities have an excellent record on compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Several have been recognized for their exemplary water-quality compliance record. San Jose Water Company (SJWC), for example, was honored by the Partnership for Safe Water for SJWC’s commitment and execution of programs that improve the quality and safety of water delivered to customers.
Water quality reports are available online. Links to the reports for California’s largest regulated water utilities (those serving more than 10,000 service connections) can be found below:
Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company
California American Water
California Water Service Company
Golden State Water Company
Park Water Company
San Gabriel Valley Water Company
San Jose Water Company
Suburban Water Systems
–CWA—
About the California Water Association:
The California Water Association (CWA) represents the interests of approximately 113 public water utilities that are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. These water utilities strive to provide high-quality water utility services to customers throughout California. CWA provides a forum for sharing best management practices; a means of promoting sound water policy by legislators and regulatory agencies; and opportunities for educating the public on the protection and efficient use of water resources.
