Consumer Confidence Report: Water Quality

In doing some research of the water supply in my area, I found out a few things. I already knew that my water is supplied from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), but where does it really come from? And what is in it?

• The water I drink comes from Pardee Reservoir, a reservoir that holds water from the Mokelumne River about 90 miles east of the Bay Area
• Some chemicals that are in this water at surprising levels are:
• flouride: very little! Less than 0.1 mcl
• lead: more than I expected- 3 mcl when the goal is 0.2
• chlorine: 2.4 mcl, when the goal is 4. This is not as high as desired (since chlorine helps disinfect the water)
• trihalomethanes (ppb): this was very high, at 75 when the highest level allowed is 80.
• The report explained that this high level was caused from excessive precipitation and run-off  after the drought which increased organic materials in the water source
• Some unexpected chemicals in the water:
• copper and aluminum. I think this makes sense, maybe this come from the pipes
• Associated health risks with large/long term exposure to these chemicals:
• lead: especially harmful to children and pregnant women, can be a neurotoxicant and cause brain damage, birth defects, reproductive issues, damage to other organs
• trihalomethanes: neurotoxicity and harmful impact on other organs i.e. liver, kidneys, heart

I drink tap water and I do not use a filter. I have drank filtered water before, and I notice a slight difference. I think it filters out some left over sediments. I also do not drink bottled water- I could connect with the video in that I am someone who often thinks "Water is basically free why buy it?". Plus, I find tap water satisfying, it does not bother me. The video was interesting in how it pointed out advertising tactics around persuasion.