CCR and Water Quality

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is the source of my water in Berkeley. The water comes from the watershed of the Mokelumne River on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The Mokelumne watershed collects snowmelt from Alpine, Amador and Calaveras counties, which flows into Pardee Reservoir near the town of Valley Springs. Three large aqueducts carry water 90 miles from Pardee Reservoir to the East Bay. EBMUD has 6 water treatment plants where water is treated and tested for contaminants.

The CCR I found for EBMUD was from 2017 so the numbers are up to date! I was pleased to see that the chemicals found in my water were found in very low levels. The report said that they met or surpasses every public health requirement set by the State Water Resources Control Board and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The highest chemicals found in the water are Trihalomethanes, which are byproducts from the chlorine used to disinfect the water. The levels found are still within the limit.

I do not currently use a filter for my water, and based on what I found I don't think it is necessary. Water filters, at least the ones I have looked at, filter out the larger particles in water such as copper, zinc. and mercury. These contaminants are found in very low levels in the water from EBMUD so I'm not sure there would be a benefit to using a water filter. Another reason for a water filter is if your water tastes bad and I personally think our tap water tastes great! Generally, I do not drink bottled water. I may occasionally have bottled water if I am out and there is no other option, but I always try and carry my own hydroflask and if I do need to purchase bottled water I have been trying to be more thoughtful and purchase something in a glass bottle. Two of my sisters buy cases of bottles water from Costco and always offer it to me when I go to their houses. I try and make s point to explain why bottled water isn't any better than tap (and may be worse!) and fill my water bottle up with their tap water. I just hope that one day they will listen :)



Comments

  1. Terrianne GSeptember 30, 2018 at 3:59 PM

    thats really good you try your best to bring your own water! it's hard trying to be consistent and it can be a pain walking around with your bottle (especially the hydroflasks, they're heavy on their own). I carry filtered water for my dog because I don't want her drinking community water - for other reasons, they have a high chance of contamination with bacteria for other dogs. I personally like drinking tap water, and it hasn't bothered me ! hopefully one day (like your sisters) my husband will listen!

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