City of Napa

Important Health Information

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants in tap water than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and infants—face higher risks from infections. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption. The EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial contamination risks are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or http://water.epa.gov/drink/hotline.

Our Commitment to Quality

Delivering high-quality municipal water involves complex processes beyond simple distribution. Our licensed water professionals monitor treatment systems around the clock, performing essential tasks including:

• Operating and maintaining purification equipment
• Monitoring instruments and gauges
• Conducting rigorous water testing using calibrated instruments
• Maintaining optimal water chemistry
• Analyzing data to determine treatment requirements
• Reporting test results to regulatory agencies
• Serving our community through education and outreach

The next time you turn on your faucet, remember the dedicated professionals working behind every drop.

Water Quality Report

We're pleased to present our water quality report for January 1 - December 31, 2017. This document provides Napa's residents with comprehensive information about water sources, content, and compliance with government standards. As in previous years, we remain vigilant in meeting regulatory challenges, protecting water sources, promoting conservation, and conducting community outreach while meeting all our customers' needs.

For questions about this report, please contact Erin Kebbas, Water Quality Manager, at (707) 253-0822. For general inquiries about the City of Napa Water Division, call (707) 257-9521. Visit our website at www.cityofnapa.org/water for updated program information. For emergencies or weekend assistance, call (707) 253-4451.

Lead in Home Plumbing

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Unlike other U.S. regions where lead was common, it wasn't the primary material used for water service installations in Napa. Years of monitoring show our public pipe network doesn't contribute lead to the water supply. Our next lead and copper collection is scheduled for July 2018.

While the City of Napa provides high-quality water, we cannot control materials used in household plumbing. When water sits for several hours, minimize potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Consider collecting this water for plants or other uses. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and minimizing exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/lead.

Understanding Potential Contaminants

Drinking water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and sometimes radioactive material, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity.

To ensure safety, the EPA and State Water Resources Control Board set regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water, providing the same public health protection.

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants, which doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Naturally occurring salts and metals, or those resulting from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides/Herbicides: From agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

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