Victorville Water District

WATER IN OUR ENVIRONMENT

The sources of tap water and bottled water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through soil layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some instances, radioactive materials. It can also pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:
• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agricultural activities, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that may occur naturally or result from oil/gas production activities

WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

To ensure your tap water's safety, the State Water Resources Control Board establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similar regulations govern bottled water safety standards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to certain water contaminants than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons—including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants—may face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their water consumption. USEPA/CDC guidelines for reducing Cryptosporidium and microbial infection risks are available from the Safe Municipal Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

WATER SOURCE ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION

Victorville Water District has conducted comprehensive source water assessments for all wells providing municipal water to customers. These assessments, complying with California water quality regulations, help identify potential contamination sources and develop protection strategies. All new wells undergo assessment before entering service.

According to these assessments, the groundwater aquifer supplying the District's wells could potentially be vulnerable to various contamination sources, including industrial facilities, sewer systems, septic systems, parking areas, residential developments, other wells, storm drains, military facilities, transportation corridors, and service stations.

The District regularly monitors water quality in all groundwater wells serving customers and has detected no contaminants from the potential sources listed above. Assessment reports are available for public inspection at the Public Works/Water counter on Victorville City Hall's second floor or through the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Municipal Water office in San Bernardino.

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