Santa Cruz Water Department

IS OUR WATER VULNERABLE TO CONTAMINATION? Since 1996, water providers using surface water have been required to conduct Watershed Sanitary Surveys to identify potential contamination sources and assess their treatment facilities' ability to manage these pollutants. These assessments include mapping the areas surrounding water sources and reviewing activities that could release contaminants.

Several potentially harmful activities exist near Santa Cruz water sources, including:

• Commercial cannabis cultivation
• Wastewater and urban runoff
• Animal containment facilities
• Unauthorized recreational activities
• Roads (including logging roads)
• Mining/quarry operations
• Geological hazards including post-storm landslides
• Chemical spills and pesticide/herbicide use

Additionally, some historical land disturbances such as old logging roads and former industrial sites have left contaminant deposits that still pose risks to flowing water sources. To deliver the highest quality municipal water possible, the city proactively collaborates with partners to minimize potential contamination sources and prioritizes using the best quality source water during vulnerable periods (such as storm runoff events). These watershed protection efforts also benefit other watershed users, including steelhead and coho salmon.

In 2018, the Watershed division of the City's Water Department updated the 2013 Drinking Watershed Sanitary Survey for the San Lorenzo River and North Coast Watersheds, viewable at www.cityofsantacruz.com/SanitarySurvey2018.

WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MUNICIPAL WATER? To ensure tap water safety, EPA and State Water Resources Control Board regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems. State regulations also establish limits for bottled water contaminants, providing similar public health protections.

All water sources, including bottled water, can reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity. Contaminants potentially present in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses, parasites, 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 stormwater runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural applications, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that may be naturally-occurring or result from oil/gas production and mining activities

The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water permits monitoring for some contaminants less than annually because their concentrations don't change frequently. Some data, while representative, may be more than one year old.

Detecting Leaks: If you suspect a leak but don't see water flowing, here are steps to locate the potential problem:

1. Walk along the water line leading to your home in your yard
2. Look for physical signs of a leak:
   • Grass that appears greener than surrounding areas
   • Bleached-out grass patches
   • Small puddles during dry periods
   • Unusually tall or lush grass in specific spots
   • Ground that feels spongy when walked on

All these indicators suggest a potential leak that should be addressed promptly to avoid excessive water bills!

Leak Adjustments: North Nelson Water District offers its customers an annual leak adjustment. Adjustments are available once per year with proof of repair such as a receipt showing the leak was fixed or a contractor invoice.

Finding and Repairing Leaks: If you suspect a leak, follow these steps:

1. Locate your water meter
2. Open the meter lid
3. Clean any dirt/debris from the register
4. Watch your meter for 5 minutes to see if the black triangle or red circle is moving
5. If it's moving, verify no faucets are running inside the house
6. Turn off valves to any outbuildings to isolate the leak
7. Return to check if the meter continues turning after each valve is closed
8. When the meter stops turning, you've successfully located the leak
9. Take steps to repair the leak as soon as possible
10. Contact our office about your annual leak adjustment