Water Quality
Our voice is united to highlight and advocate for science-based solutions to water quality challenges
Delivering Clean Water
When it comes to potential water contaminants, our agencies want to be a part of the solution. Although water agencies are not responsible for the presence of most water contaminants, we are responsible for delivering clean, high quality water, regardless of the circumstance. We will continue ensuring this commitment as we address challenges with clear and accessible information, technology and advocacy.
Serving clean, low-cost water is our mandate as water providers. It is paramount that state and federal regulators rely on the best available science when making decisions that have a significant impact on the cost and quality of our water supplies
Regulating PFAS the Smart Way
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a complex family of more than 3,000 manmade chemicals, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanioic acid (PFOA) – these are generally abbreviated as PFAS. PFAS come from many common household items such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, makeup and other items we use every day, as well as from substances like fire-fighting foam and may end up in the water supply.
When it comes to PFAS, our agencies want to be a part of the solution. Although water agencies are not responsible for the presence of PFAS in water supplies, we are responsible for delivering clean, high quality water, regardless of the circumstance. We will continue ensuring this commitment as we address the challenge of PFAS. California regulators have advised water agencies not to serve water with PFOA and PFOS levels above 10 and 40 parts per trillion, respectively.
It’s important to keep these amounts in context – one part per trillion is equal to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Removing PFAS from water supplies will have cost implications that impact customers, so it is imperative that new requirements are grounded in science. We urge state and federal leadership to regulate rather than legislate to ensure that new rules and regulations are science-based.
Our water agencies conduct between 30,000 and 60,0000 water quality tests every year to ensure water from your tap is high quality, meeting or exceeding state and federal drinking water standards.
