Rubidoux Community SD

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, typically contains small amounts of various contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't automatically indicate a health hazard. For comprehensive information about water contaminants and potential health impacts, visit the USEPA's website at http://water.epa.gov/drink/index.cfm or contact their Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791), the National Radon Hotline (800-557-2366), or California's Indoor Radon Program (800-745-7236).

Rubidoux Community Services District delivers water from groundwater sources pumped from five active wells (Wells 2, 4, 6, 8, and 18) located within district boundaries. These wells draw from the Riverside South Groundwater Basin. To ensure water quality, water from Wells 4 and 6 undergoes treatment at the District's Anita B. Smith Nitrate Removal Facility to reduce nitrate concentrations before distribution.

Additionally, water from Well 18 is processed at both the LaVerne J. Mahnke Manganese Removal Facility and the Leland J. Thompson Water Treatment Plant to reduce manganese levels, then blended with water from Well 2 before entering the distribution system.

Water monitoring occurs regularly according to Federal and State regulations. The district's testing detected various contaminants between January 1st and December 31st, 2017, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. Some monitoring occurs less frequently when contaminant concentrations remain stable.

Key terms to understand water quality reports include:

• Parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L): One part per million equals one minute in two years or one penny in $10,000
• Parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (μg/L): One part per billion equals one second in 11.5 years or one penny in $10,000,000
• Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measurement of radioactivity in water
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest allowed level of a contaminant in drinking water
• Public Health Goal (PHG): The contaminant level below which no known health risks exist

Nitrate levels in the water averaged 6.0 mg/L in 2017, below the MCL of 10 mg/L. While no violations occurred, residents should know that nitrate above 10 mg/L poses health risks, particularly for infants under six months and pregnant women, as it can interfere with the blood's ability to transport oxygen.

Perchlorate can affect thyroid function by interfering with iodide uptake, potentially impacting hormone production. Thyroid hormones are essential for normal development in infants and children and for proper metabolism in adults.

The State Water Resources Control Board regulates chlorine, which is added as a disinfectant to kill harmful microorganisms. While necessary for safety, high chlorine doses over extended periods may affect blood and liver function, which is why standards are in place to minimize these risks.

1. What makes Rubidoux water "hard" and how does it affect my home?

Rubidoux's groundwater contains high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium, making it "hard." This causes scale buildup in pipes, reduces appliance efficiency, and requires more soap for cleaning.

2. Are the contaminants in Rubidoux water dangerous?

While detected contaminants like lead and molybdenum can pose health risks at high levels, the water district maintains compliance with regulatory standards. Sensitive populations may want to consider additional filtration.

3. How often is Rubidoux's water tested?

The district conducts comprehensive testing according to federal and state requirements. Some contaminants are monitored daily, while others follow quarterly or annual schedules.

4. What treatment processes does Rubidoux Community SD use?

The district employs multiple treatment facilities including nitrate removal and manganese reduction systems. Water from different wells is treated according to specific needs before blending and distribution.