City of La Habra

The sources of municipal water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up substances resulting from human and animal activities.

Contaminants potentially present in source water include:

• Nitrogen-containing herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential applications
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Radioactive substances that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining operations
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals, which can be natural or come from urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, and farming
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA and California Department of Drinking Water establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations and state laws set similar standards for bottled water to provide equal public health protection.

All water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

HOW HARD IS MY WATER?

The natural presence of minerals in water, primarily calcium and magnesium, causes water "hardness." The measurement scale considers water with less than 60 parts per million as "soft," between 60-120 parts per million as "medium-hard," and above 120 parts per million as "hard." Water supplied by La Habra has an average hardness of 115 parts per million.

WHY DOES MY TAP WATER LOOK CLOUDY SOMETIMES?

The cloudy appearance comes from harmless air bubbles. Additional air can enter water lines during maintenance work. In winter, cold water from outdoor pipes warms inside your home, releasing oxygen as tiny air bubbles. These bubbles should disappear quickly, but contact us if the problem persists.

ARE THERE ANY CONTAMINANTS IN MY MUNICIPAL WATER?

All water, including bottled varieties, contains trace amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily pose health risks. For specific contaminant levels in your municipal water, please review our current Consumer Confidence Report.

WHY DOES MY WATER HAVE A STRONG ODOR?

Strong odors may result from seasonal turnover in our Rough River Lake water supply. This can also occur if your meter is located at the end of a distribution line or on a line with minimal usage. Please contact us if you notice persistent strong odors.

WHAT CAUSES A LOSS OF PRESSURE OR FLOW?

Pressure or flow issues typically indicate a leak in your plumbing or a malfunctioning pressure regulator valve. After checking for leaks, contact us to inspect your regulator. Municipal water system leaks generally affect entire neighborhoods, so check with neighbors to determine if they're experiencing similar problems.

WHEN DO YOU READ MY METER?

We read every meter monthly on regular cycles, typically around the same time each month. Thanks to technology advancements, approximately 700 meters require manual reading while the rest use radio technology allowing drive-by collection of readings. We still obtain at least one manual reading annually to verify accuracy and proper functioning.

HOW DO I CHECK FOR A LEAK?

The simplest method is examining your meter's leak indicator—the small triangle on the meter face. This indicator spins whenever water flows through your meter, regardless of volume. Ensure all faucets are off and no water is running before checking. If the indicator spins, you may need a plumber's assistance.

WHY HAS MY BILL INCREASED?

Toilets are the primary cause of higher bills, as they can develop slow leaks or run intermittently throughout the day and night. For gradually increasing bills, check your toilets first. We offer free toilet dye test strips at our office to help identify running toilets. Other causes include increased usage, changed habits, leaks, seasonal variations, or rate adjustments.