5.4 - Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) and Water Quality


Unfortunately I couldn’t find Oakland’s information on water quality through the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I had to locate my information elsewhere from local municipal services, East Bay MUD. On their website (https://www.ebmud.com/customers/water-quality/) I was able to download the 2017 Annual Water Quality Report. 

The East Bay gets its almost all its water from a 577-square mile watershed of the Mokelumne River on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. This forrest land is owned by EBMUD, and other under-developed lands (unaffected by human activity). All water is treated at one of six EBMUD water treatment plants before it reaches the tap. Every year over 20,000 late tests are done to ensure the safety of our water. Lead levels has become a concern, and EBMUD now offers free in-home testing to ensure lead is not present.

Based on this map, Oakland receives water from the upper San Leandro water treatment plant where over  375 million gallons of water is processed daily. 

I did not like the layout of the report because there was too much information on it, and felt overwhelmed by the presentation. I also couldn't conclude if levels in my area were harmful or bad, I just see a whole bunch of numbers next to each other, and can't determine if the numbers indicate anything good or bad. A color coded table would have been helpful.  Almost all regulated levels were under in comparison to the the highest amount allowed. Lead on the other hand had no number for comparison. Just "1 out of 55 sites was above the "regulatory action level." I am not sure what that means. 


I personally love the taste of my tap water. I do however use a Brita water filter to keep water chilled. I normally use a Klean Canteen for holding my water daily, but am guilty of buying bottled water when I forget to bring it to work or school. I always am in need of water because my daily activity and work requires physical movement and need to stay hydrated. After watching the “Story of Bottled Water” I am more aware of the impact. I am going to do more to not buy them, and eliminate them at events I host in the future. 

Comments

  1. Ayla EvinsSeptember 29, 2018 at 6:09 PM

    My water also comes from EBMUD and I agree, the tap water actually tastes good. I have a friend that lives in Solano county and whenever she comes over she always fills her water bottle up with water from our tap because she says it tastes better than hers. I found the report a little confusing at first, but came up with the same the same conclusion as you - all contaminants were within the required levels and seemed to be pretty low.
    I also try not to buy bottled water and I feel lucky because my work has a water filter and re-usable glasses so I can always fill up my water bottle there or use a glass if I forget my water bottle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terrianne GOctober 3, 2018 at 7:56 PM

      I agree that website looks really confusing, especially to the general population just wanting to know where their water is sourced from and what are the active chemicals (if any) found. Maybe they should make a website that tracks everyone's water and it'll make it more KNOWN that their tap water is so much cleaner than they think - and it'll get them to drink tap water like us!

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