Los Angeles County WW District 29 & 80-Malib

WATER & YOUR HEALTH

Water, including bottled varieties, typically contains small amounts of various contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Municipal water comes from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, while also potentially collecting substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater 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

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, some elderly individuals, and infants—may face higher risks. These individuals should consult their healthcare providers about drinking water safety. USEPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contamination risks are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

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