City of Sacramento Main

WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS

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

Contaminants potentially present in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals that occur naturally or come from urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining activities

To ensure tap water safety, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California State Water Resources Control Board establish regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. The FDA and California law similarly regulate bottled water to provide comparable public health protection.

All municipal water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain at least trace amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Some individuals may be more susceptible to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants—may face higher infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their municipal water consumption. Guidelines from the EPA/CDC on reducing infection risks from contaminants like cryptosporidium are available through the EPA's Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where do I dispose of my yard waste?
2. Where are the water quality tests conducted?
3. How do I contact a city/county department?
4. What is the recommended method for disposing of unused medications?
5. Does Greene County have County Zoning regulations?
6. What should I do if I encounter difficulties with my online application?