McKinleyville CSD

California State Law has mandated that water providers prepare Annual Water Quality Reports for customers for many years, detailing the quality of water delivered to homes. The 1996 amendments to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act introduced new reporting requirements through Consumer Confidence Statements with similar purposes to California's Water Quality Reports. Since 1999, California water systems must comply with these federal reporting standards.

This statement represents McKinleyville Community Service District's 2017 Consumer Confidence Report, summarizing the quality of water supplied last year. It includes information about the water source, composition, and how it compares to State standards.

For questions about this report or water quality, please contact Greg Orsini, General Manager at 707-839-3251. You may also attend regular Board of Directors meetings held the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Azalea Hall (1620 Pickett Road).

Water Source: McKinleyville Community Services District (MCSD) receives water from Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD). HBMWD draws water from wells in the Mad River bed northeast of Arcata along Highway 299. These Ranney Wells extract water from riverbed sands and gravels at depths of 60-90 feet, providing natural filtration. During low rainfall periods, this naturally filtered water is disinfected via chlorination and delivered without further treatment to HBMWD's wholesale municipal and retail customers in the Humboldt Bay area.

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) classifies the District's source water as groundwater - an important classification regarding water quality compliance codes. In the late 1990s, heavy winter rainfall and high water levels combined with increased turbidity (cloudiness) in the District's water. While turbidity itself isn't a health concern, it may interfere with disinfection. In 1997, DHS required the District to address turbidity in its water supply. A new Turbidity Reduction Facility (TRF) became operational in late 2002, helping the District meet the State's secondary maximum contaminant level standard for turbidity (less than 5 NTU). The TRF operates only during winter months.

1. How could my water usage be so high? Your meter readings may have been transposed or difficult to read. Alternatively, you might have an undetected leaky toilet or faucet. Contact our office and we'll help resolve the issue.
2. What should I do about low water pressure? Check your meter and surrounding area for potential leaks, then call our office to report the low pressure in your area.
3. Why is my water discolored? Recent repairs may have allowed air to enter the line, causing a milky appearance.
4. What chemicals are added to our water? We only use chemicals approved by the National Safety Foundation for municipal water treatment.
5. My water tastes and smells unusual. Is it safe? All public water systems must maintain minimum chlorine levels of 0.2 mg/L (tested at line endpoints) by state law. Systems using chloramine disinfectant must maintain 0.5 mg/L levels by national regulations. Our disinfectant levels undergo daily testing to ensure safety.
6. Why does debris come from the tap when running hot water? Your water heater likely needs flushing. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional. If doing it yourself, read the owner's manual to prevent injury or water heater damage.
7. Why do I have a previous balance when I sent my payment? We may have received it after the due date or not received it at all. Call our office for assistance resolving this issue.