Safe Drinking Water Act

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA is responsible for setting national limits for hundreds of substances in drinking water and also specifies various treatments that water systems must use to remove these substances. Each system continually monitors for these substances and reports directly to the California Department of Health Services (DHS) if they were detected in the drinking water. EPA uses this data to ensure that the consumers are receiving clean water and to verify that states are enforcing the laws that regulate drinking water.

This publication conforms to the regulation under SDWA requiring water utilities to provide detailed water quality information to each of their customers annually. We our committed to providing you with this information about your water supply because customers who are well informed are our best allies in supporting improvements necessary to maintain the highest quality drinking water standards.

Community Participation

We encourage public interest and participation in our community's decisions affecting drinking water. City Council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm at the Community Center, 300 East 10th Street, Tracy.

Water Quality Control

Before the water reaches your tap, samples are collected and tested in State - certified laboratories. The City of Tracy Utilities Division of the Public Works Department has a regular program of water quality monitoring and system inspection that ensures safe drinking water is delivered to you and your family.

As required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the City's water supplies must meet stringent water quality standards set by the California Department of Health Services and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The City of Tracy completed a watershed sanitary survey of its drinking water sources in 2005. This survey can be obtained by contacting the Water Production Supervisor at the number provided below

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Water customers who are landlords receiving this report are asked to share this information with any tenant or user on the premises. The City of Tracy staff is available to answer your questions and provide further information. You are welcome to call Dan Wengrin, Water Production Supervisor, at (209) 831-4495

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Water Source Assessment

An assessment of the drinking water sources for the City of Tracy's water system was completed in June 2001. The sources are considered most vulnerable to the following activities: airports (maintenance and fueling areas) gas stations, (historic and current), mining activities (active and historic), septic and waste landfill dumps (historic and current). You may request a copy of the assessment by contacting Dan Wengrin at (209) 831-4495.

Where Does the Water Come From?

Sources of the City of Tracy's water supply include the Delta-Mendota Canal, the Stanislaus River, and groundwater pumped from wells. In 2005, surface water from the Delta-Mendota Canal comprised 50% of the total water supply, or 2.9 billion gallons. Surface water from the Stanislaus River comprised 17%, or 1.0 billion gallons. The groundwater supply comprised 33%, or 1.9 billion gallons of the total water supply.

The Stanislaus River water supply is very soft water and has significantly reduced the minerals in the City's water supply. You may no longer need to use a water softener.

Substances Expected to be in the Drinking Water

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

• Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
• Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can, also come from gas stations, urban runoff and septic systems.
• Radio Active Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink, USEPA and the DHS prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. DHS regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. 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 the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

Special Health Information

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in the drinking water than the general population.

Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advise about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by “Cryptosporidium” and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.