Definitions
Used in the Chart:
MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The
highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking
water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs)
as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary
MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of
drinking water.
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level
Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water
below which there is no known or expected risk to health.
MCLGs are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
PHG (Public Health Goal):
The
level of a contaminant in drinking water below, which
there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set
by the California Environmental Protection Agency.
TT (Treatment Technique): A
required process intended to reduce the level of a
contaminant in drinking water.
AL (Regulatory Action Level):
The
concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded,
triggers treatment or other requirements, which a water
system must follow.
Variances and Exemptions: State
or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a
treatment technique under certain conditions.
NA: Not applicable
NS: No standard
ND: Not detected at testing limit
PPB: Parts per billion or micrograms per liter
PPM: Parts per million or milligrams per liter
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pCi/l:
Picocuries per liter (a measure of radiation)
mmhos/cm: Micromhos per
centimeter (an indicator of dissolved minerals in the
water)
NTU: Nephelometric turbidity
units (a measure of clarity)
Footnotes:
1Turbidity is a measure of
the cloudiness of the water. Montecito Water District
monitors for it continuously because turbidity is a good
indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
Turbidity of the filtered water must: 1) Be less than or
equal to 0.5 NTU in 95% of measurements in a month; 2) Not
exceed 1.0 NTU for more than eight consecutive hours; 3)
Not exceed 5.0 NTU at any time.
• 100% of the District’s samples met
the Turbidity Performance standard
• The highest single surface water turbidity measurement
during the year was 0.28
• The District had no violations of any surface water
treatment requirement
2The State allows us to
monitor for some contaminants less than once per year
because the concentrations of these contaminants do not
change frequently. Some of our data, though
representative, are more than one year old. Constituents
that were tested previous to 2000 follow with their test
date in parenthesis: lead and copper (1998); Asbestos
(1997); and radioactivity (1998).
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When
To Seek Health Care Advice
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised
persons such as persons with cancer undergoing
chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ
transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system
disorders, some elderly, and infants, can be particularly
at risk from infections. These people should seek advice
about drinking water from their health care providers.
USEPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are
available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(1-800-426-4791).
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EPA
Hotline
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably
be expected to contain at least small amounts of some
contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not
necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More
information about contaminants and potential health
effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).
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