El Monte Water Department

Where Does Our Municipal Water Come From?

The City of El Monte draws its water supply from three primary sources:

• Groundwater from the Main San Gabriel Groundwater Basin extracted by production wells in El Monte
• Groundwater from the Raymond Basin extracted by California American Water production wells (San Marino System)
• Treated surface water from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) via California American Water

All water is properly disinfected with chlorine before delivery to residential and commercial properties.

Water Quality Testing Protocols

The City of El Monte conducts regular testing for chemical and biological contaminants according to US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and State Water Resources Control Board standards. California American Water tests its surface water, while MWD handles testing of treated surface water. The most recent annual report shows results from comprehensive testing conducted throughout 2017.

Potential Sources of Contaminants

Municipal water sources (including tap and bottled water) may contain small amounts of various substances due to their journey through nature:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage facilities, septic systems, and agricultural operations
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals, either naturally occurring or from urban runoff and industrial discharge
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Radioactive materials from natural deposits or industrial activities
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and urban runoff

While small amounts of contaminants may be present, this doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about water contaminants and potential health effects, contact the USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater.

TASTE AND ODOR CONCERNS

Human senses of taste and smell are closely connected, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Most unusual tastes or odors in your water typically fall into two categories:

1. Chlorinous or bleachy
2. Fishy or earthy

Chlorine-related odors commonly result from either the necessary chlorine added to disinfect your water or from chlorine interacting with organic material accumulated in your plumbing. This smell actually indicates the disinfectant is working effectively to eliminate bacteria. The District uses minimal chlorine, but sensitivity varies greatly among individuals.

Fishy or earthy odors typically come from organisms growing in water supply reservoirs. Algae, fungi, and bacteria release compounds like geosmin and methylisoborneal (MIB), which most people can detect at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion. While these compounds pose no health risks, the District works diligently to prevent them from reaching customers. Refrigerating water or adding lemon can help eliminate these tastes.

Odors seemingly coming from your tap may actually originate from your sink drain. The U-shaped pipe beneath your sink can accumulate debris over time. To test, fill a clean glass halfway with tap water and smell it in another room. If there's no odor, your drain may be the source. Pouring vinegar or baking soda down the drain can help eliminate these odors.

DISCOLORED WATER

Brown water from your faucet often results from disturbances in water mains. Over time, iron and sediment naturally settle in pipes and can be stirred up by hydrant use, valve adjustments, main breaks, or nearby construction. While safe to use, this water isn't appealing. The water typically clears within hours.

If you experience brown water:

• Don't drink the discolored water (use for toilet flushing instead)
• Avoid using hot water to prevent drawing sediment into your water heater
• After an hour, run cold water for several minutes to check if it's clear
• When one tap runs clear, flush all home taps until each delivers clear water
• Contact the District if problems persist after several hours

The District regularly flushes hydrants throughout the system to clean pipes and remove scale buildup, which helps prevent these issues.

CLOUDY WATER

Water with a milky appearance typically contains harmless air bubbles. When cold water from underground pipes enters a warm home, oxygen releases as tiny bubbles. To confirm this, fill a glass with water and watch – if it clears from bottom to top, the cloudiness is simply oxygen bubbles rising and escaping.

WATER HARDNESS

El Monte's municipal water is naturally soft. District customers typically don't need special water softeners for laundry or dishwashing.