Falls Water Company Inc

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, typically contains at least trace amounts of various contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For detailed information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hotline/.

To ensure tap water safety, EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for contaminants in bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, farming operations, or mining
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, either naturally-occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

Lead Information Statement (Health effects and exposure reduction)
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. Falls Water Company Inc. provides quality water but cannot control plumbing component materials. When water sits unused for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for consumption. If concerned, you may have your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I know about Cal Water's laboratory testing?
2. Why does my water sometimes appear milky or cloudy?
3. What causes spots on dishes and glassware?
4. Should I purchase a water softener for my home?
5. Are home filtration units worth the investment?
6. What causes the oily appearance in my coffee?
7. What contributes to taste and odor issues in municipal water?
8. Why does water occasionally appear discolored?
9. Is bottled water superior to tap water?
10. Why is water disinfection necessary?
11. What causes sand or sediment in my water?
12. Why does Cal Water periodically flush water from pipes?
13. What causes water hardness?
14. What are trihalomethanes (THMs)?
15. Why is chlorination/chloramination used in municipal water?
16. Do regulatory standards exist for chlorine or chloramine levels?
17. How are California Division of Drinking Water and EPA addressing THMs in municipal water?