Camrosa Water District

Water sources for both tap and bottled water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, and wells. As water travels across landscapes or through soil, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, while potentially collecting substances from animal or human activities.

Where does my water come from?
Camrosa Water District operates seven wells and supplements with water from Calleguas Municipal Water District (a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California distributor). Approximately 45% of your water originates from local wells, with the remainder imported. Four wells are blended with imported water before distribution, two wells are disinfected and pumped directly into the system, and one well feeds the Reverse Osmosis Filtration Plant, producing high-quality water comparable to imported sources.

Imported water typically has higher quality but costs more due to its distant source. Camrosa utilizes both imported and local water to provide quality municipal water at reasonable rates.

A source water assessment for Camrosa Water District completed in May 2002 identified vulnerabilities including: agricultural drainage, fertilizer application, sewer systems, dry cleaning operations, pesticide use, petroleum storage, and septic systems. The complete assessment is available at the Camrosa Water District Office (7385 Santa Rosa Rd, Camarillo, CA 93012). Contact Michael Phelps at (805) 482-8563 for a summary.

Who may be more vulnerable to contaminants?
Some individuals may have increased sensitivity to water contaminants compared to the general population. Immuno-compromised persons—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants—may face heightened infection risks. These individuals should seek medical advice about their municipal water consumption. USEPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contamination risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Important health information about nitrates:
Nitrate levels exceeding 10 mg/L pose health risks to infants under six months, potentially impairing blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and causing serious illness with symptoms including shortness of breath and skin blueness. Elevated nitrate can also affect oxygen transport in pregnant women and individuals with specific enzyme deficiencies. If caring for an infant or pregnant, consult your physician.

Arsenic information:
While meeting federal and state standards, the water contains low arsenic levels. Standards balance known health effects against removal costs. The EPA continues researching low-level arsenic effects, a mineral known to cause cancer at high concentrations and linked to skin damage and circulatory issues.

Water quality regulations:
To ensure tap water safety, the EPA and State Water Resources Control Board's Division of Drinking Water establish regulations limiting certain contaminants in public water systems. Department regulations also set bottled water contaminant limits providing equivalent public health protection. All water sources may reasonably contain at least small amounts of contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Potential contaminant sources include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

Lead information:
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing components. Camrosa provides high-quality water but cannot control plumbing material composition. When water sits unused for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, consider water testing. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/lead.

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