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Is Garden Grove Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, August 4, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Garden Grove?

Yes, Garden Grove's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Garden Grove has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Garden Grove's water utility, City of Garden Grove, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the City of Garden Grove water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Garden Grove Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Garden Grove tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Garden Grove's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Garden Grove Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Garden Grove for Garden Grove in California. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

Is there Lead in Garden Grove Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Garden Grove water system, City of Garden Grove, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0031 mg/L of lead in Garden Grove water. This is 20.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Garden Grove contained more lead.

While Garden Grove water testing may have found 0.0031 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Garden Grove Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Marine Corps Air Station Tustin - near Garden Grove with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Garden Grove has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Garden Grove Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS?
Drinking water standards established by USEPA and DDW set limits for substances that may affect consumer health or aesthetic qualities of drinking water. The charts in this report show the following types of water quality standards:
WHAT IS A WATER QUALITY GOAL?
In addition to mandatory water quality standards, USEPA and DDW have set voluntary water quality goals for some contaminants. Water quality goals are often set at such low levels that they are not achievable in practice and are not directly measurable. Nevertheless, these goals provide useful guideposts and direction for water management practices. The charts in this report include three types of water quality goals: Water is sampled and tested throughout the year. Contaminants are measured in:
HOW ARE CONTAMINANTS MEASURED?
Water is sampled and tested throughout the year. Contaminants are measured in:
HOW DO I CONTACT GARDEN GROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Garden Grove water provider, City of Garden Grove, please use the information below.
By Phone: 714-741-5534
By Email: samk@ci.garden-grove.ca.us
By Mail: 13802 Newhope St.
GARDEN GROVE, CA, 92843
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CITY OF GARDEN GROVE
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their City of Garden Grove account to pay their Garden Grove water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your City of Garden Grove bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Garden Grove water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Garden Grove water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP GARDEN GROVE WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Garden Grove means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Garden Grove. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Garden Grove means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Garden Grove. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Garden Grove Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.34 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Garden Grove tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 25% Low
  • Water Pollution 40% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 75% High
  • Water Quality 100% Very High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Garden Grove, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Garden Grove Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Garden Grove's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

The

Colorado

River

Your 2021 Water Quality Report

Since 1990, California public water utilities have been providing an annual Water

Quality Report to their customers. This year’s report covers calendar year 2020

drinking water quality testing and reporting.

The City of Garden Grove Water Services Division (City) vigilantly safeguards its water supply and, as in years past, the water delivered to your home meets the quality standards required by federal and state regulatory agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW) are the agencies responsible for establishing and enforcing drinking water quality standards.

In some cases, the City goes beyond what is required by testing for unregulated chemicals that may have known health risks but do not have drinking water standards.

For example, the Orange County Water District (OCWD), which manages the groundwater basin, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC), which supplies imported treated surface water to

 

 

 

the City test for unregulated chemicals in our

Quality Water is Our Priority

water supply. Unregulated chemical

monitoring helps USEPA and DDW

determine where certain chemicals occur

 

 

 

urn the tap and the water flows,

 

 

and whether new standards need to be

 

 

Tas if by magic. Or so it seems.

 

 

established for those chemicals to protect

The reality is considerably different,

 

 

public health.

however. Delivering high-quality

 

 

Through drinking water quality testing

drinking water to our customers is a

 

 

programs carried out by OCWD for

scientific and engineering feat that

 

 

groundwater, MWDSC for treated surface

requires considerable effort and

 

 

water and the City for the water distribution

talent to ensure the water is always

 

 

system, your drinking water is constantly

there, always safe to drink.

 

 

monitored from source to tap for regulated

Because tap water is highly

 

 

and unregulated constituents. The state

 

 

regulated by state and federal laws, water treatment and

allows us to monitor for some contaminants

distribution operators must be licensed and are required to

less than once per year because the

complete on-the-job training and technical education before

concentrations of these contaminants do not

becoming a state certified operator.

change frequently.

Our licensed water professionals have an understanding of a

Some of our data, though representative,

are more than one year old.

wide range of subjects, including mathematics, biology,

 

chemistry, physics, and engineering. Some of the tasks they

This report contains important information

complete on a regular basis include:

about your drinking water. Translate it,

S Monitoring and inspecting machinery, meters, gauges, and

or speak with someone who understands it.

operating conditions;

 

S Conducting tests and inspections on water and evaluating

Este informe contiene información muy importante

the results;

sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo ó hable

con alguien que lo entienda bien.

S Documenting and reporting test results and system

 

operations to regulatory agencies; and

Báo cáo này chứa thông tin quan trọng

S Serving our community through customer support,

về nước uống của quý vị. Hãy dịch báo cáo,

hoặc nói chuyện với một người hiểu báo cáo này.

education, and outreach.

본 보고는 귀하의 식수에 관한

So, the next time you turn on your faucet, think of the skilled

professionals who stand behind every drop.

중요한 정보를 가지고 있습니다.

번역, 또는 이 보고를 이해하는

 

 

 

사람에게 물어보십시오.

 

 

 

~ 2 ~

We Invite You to Learn More About Your Waters Quality
The
California
State
Water
Project

The Quality of Your Water is Our Primary Concern

Sources of Supply

Your drinking water is a blend of mostly groundwater from 12 wells in the Orange County groundwater basin and also surface water imported by MWDSC. MWDSC’s imported water sources are a blend of State Water Project water from Northern California and water from the Colorado

River Aqueduct. Your ground- water comes from a natural underground reservoir managed by the Orange County Water District (OCWD) that stretches from the Prado Dam and fans across the north- western portion of Orange County, excluding the

communities of Brea and La Habra, and stretching as far south as the El Toro ‘Y.’

Last year, as in years past, your tap water met all USEPA and state drinking water health standards. The City vigilantly safe- guards its water supplies and once again, we are proud to report that our system has never violated a maximum contaminant level (MCL) or any other water quality standard. This brochure is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to federal and state standards.

Basic Information About Drinking Water Contaminants

  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining and farming.
  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production or mining activities.
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gasoline stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application and septic systems.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA and the DDW prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Admini- stration regulations and California law 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 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 at (800) 426-4791.

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 land or through the layers of the ground it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases,

radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animal and 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.
  • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.

For information about this report, or your water quality in general,

please contact the Water Quality Staff at (714) 741-5395.

Public City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Community Meeting

Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove,

California 92840.

You may also contact our City Clerk’s Office,

Garden Grove City Hall, 11222 Acacia Parkway,

Garden Grove, California 92840 or call (714) 741-5040 for information about Garden Grove City Council meetings. Please feel free to participate in these meetings.

For more information about the health effects of the contaminants listed in the following tables, you may call the USEPA hotline at (800) 426-4791.

~ 3 ~

To Safeguard Against Issues that May Affect Your Health

We Comply with All State & Federal Water Quality Regulations

About Lead in Tap Water

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.

The City is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, (800) 426-4791, or at: www.epa.gov/safewater/lead

Drinking Water Fluoridation

Fluoride has been added to U.S. drinking water supplies since 1945. Of the 50 largest cities in the U.S., 43 fluoridate their drinking water.

In December 2007, MWDSC joined a majority of the nation’s public water suppliers in adding fluoride to drinking water in order to prevent tooth decay. MWDSC was in compliance with all provisions of the State's fluoridation system requirements. Our local water is not supplemented with fluoride. Fluoride levels in drinking water are limited under California state regulations at a maximum dosage of 2 parts per million.

Immunocompromised People

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised people, such as those with cancer who are undergoing chemo- therapy, persons who have had organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons, and infants can be particularly at risk to infection. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic organism that, when ingested, can cause diarrhea, fever, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The organism comes from animal and/or human wastes and may be in surface water. MWDSC tested its source water and treated surface water for Cryptosporidium in 2020, but did not detect it. If it ever is detected, Cryptosporidium is eliminated by an effective treatment combination including sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.

The USEPA and the federal Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791, or visit them on the web at: www.epa.gov/safewater.

PFAS

PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) are a group of man-made chemicals that may pose a hazard to health. They have been widely used in a variety of products and are resistant to heat, water, oils and stains.

The City monitors very closely on PFOA and PFOS levels in our supply wells per the latest State guidelines. Six of the City’s wells have been taken offline as a precaution, and the City is working on design/construction of treatment systems before reactivating the affected wells.

Additional information regarding PFOA and PFOS is available on the California Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water website at www.waterboards.ca.gov/pfas/.

PFAS can be found in:

~ 4 ~

2020 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Treated Surface Water

 

 

PHG

Average

Range of

MCL

Typical Source

Constituent

MCL

(MCLG)

Amount

Detections

Violation?

of Constituent

Radiologicals – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha Radiation (pCi/L)

15

(0)

ND

ND – 3

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

Beta Radiation (pCi/L)

50

(0)

ND

ND – 7

No

Decay of Natural and Man-made Deposits

Uranium (pCi/L)

20

0.43

2

1

3

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inorganic Constituents – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum (ppm)

1

0.6

0.137

ND – 0.26

No

Treatment Process Residue, Natural Deposits

Barium (ppm)

1

2

0.107

0.107

No

Refinery Discharge, Erosion of Natural Deposits

Bromate (ppb)

10

0.1

1.9

ND – 1.3

No

Byproduct of Drinking Water Ozonation

Fluoride (ppm)

2

1

0.7

0.5

0.9

No

Water Additive for Dental Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secondary Standards* – Tested in 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum (ppb)

200*

600

137

ND – 260

No

Treatment Process Residue, Natural Deposits

Chloride (ppm)

500*

n/a

94

93

94

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Color (color units)

15*

n/a

1

 

1

 

No

Naturally-occurring Organic Materials

Odor (threshold odor number)

3*

n/a

2

 

2

 

No

Naturally-occurring Organic Materials

Specific Conductance (µmho/cm)

1,600*

n/a

970

964

975

No

Substances that form Ions in Water

Sulfate (ppm)

500*

n/a

216

215

217

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

1,000*

n/a

592

582

603

No

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Constituents – Tested in 2018 and 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

118

117

120

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Boron (ppm)

NL = 1

n/a

0.13

0.13

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Calcium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

66

65

67

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Germanium (ppb)

Not Regulated

n/a

0.1

ND – 0.4

n/a

Erosion of Natural Deposits; Industrial Discharge

Hardness, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

265

261

269

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Hardness, total (grains/gallon)

Not Regulated

n/a

15

15

16

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Magnesium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

26

25

26

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Manganese (ppb)**

50*

n/a

2.23

0.8

3.3

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

N-nitrosodimethylamine (ppt)

NL = 10

n/a

3.1

3.1

n/a

Byproduct of Drinking Water Chloramination,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Processes

pH (pH units)

Not Regulated

n/a

8.1

8.1

n/a

Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Potassium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

4.6

4.5

4.7

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Sodium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

96

93

98

n/a

Runoff or Leaching from Natural Deposits

Total Organic Carbon (ppm)

TT

n/a

2.4

2.2

2.7

n/a

Various Natural and Man-made Sources

ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million; ppt = parts per trillion; pCi/L = picoCuries per liter; µmho/cm = micromhos per centimeter; ND = not detected;

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level; (MCLG) = federal MCL Goal; PHG = California Public Health Goal; NL = Notification Level; n/a = not applicable; TT = treatment technique *Chemical is regulated by a secondary standard.

**Manganese is regulated with a secondary standard but was not detected, based on the detection limit for purposes of reporting of 20 ppb. Manganese was included as part of the unregulated chemicals requiring monitoring.

Turbidity – combined filter effluent

Treatment

Turbidity

TT

Typical Source

Metropolitan Water District Diemer Filtration Plant

Technique

Measurements

Violation?

of Constituent

1)

Highest single turbidity measurement

0.3 NTU

0.04

No

Soil Runoff

2)

Percentage of samples less than 0.3 NTU

95%

100%

No

Soil Runoff

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water, an indication of particulate matter, some of which might include harmful microorganisms.NTU = nephelometric turbidity units Low turbidity in Metropolitan’s treated water is a good indicator of effective filtration. Filtration is called a ”treatment technique” (TT).

A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of chemicals in drinking water that are difficult and sometimes impossible to measure directly.

Chart Legend

What are Water Quality Standards?

Drinking water standards established by USEPA and DDW set limits for substances that may affect consumer health or aesthetic qualities of drinking water. The charts in this report show the following types of water quality standards:

  • Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 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.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
  • Secondary MCLs: Set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
  • Primary Drinking Water Standard: MCLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements and water treatment requirements.
  • Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant, which,
    if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

What is a Water Quality Goal?

In addition to mandatory water quality standards, USEPA and DDW have set voluntary water quality goals for some contaminants. Water quality goals are often set at such low levels that they are not achievable in practice and are not directly measurable. Nevertheless, these goals provide useful guideposts and direction for water management practices. The charts in this report include three types of water quality goals:

  • Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by USEPA.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
  • Public Health Goal (PHG): 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.

How are Contaminants Measured?

Water is sampled and tested throughout the year. Contaminants are measured in:

  • parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
  • parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • parts per trillion (ppt) or nanograms per liter (ng/L)

~ 5 ~

2020 City of Garden Grove Groundwater Quality

 

 

 

 

 

Average

Range of

MCL

Most Recent

Typical Source

Constituent

MCL

PHG

Amount

Detections

Violation?

Sampling Date

of Constituent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radiologicals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uranium (pCi/L)

20

0.43

8.39

5.15

– 10.2

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inorganic Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenic (ppb)

10

0.004

<2

ND – 2.4

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium (ppm)

1

2

<0.1

ND – 0.128

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride (ppm)

2

1

0.45

0.41

– 0.49

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate (ppm as N)

10

10

3.5

1.57 – 4.4

No

2020

Fertilizers, Septic Tanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate+Nitrite (ppm as N)

10

10

3.5

1.57 – 4.4

No

2020

Fertilizers, Septic Tanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perchlorate (ppb)

6

1

<4

ND – 4

No

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secondary Standards*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride (ppm)

500*

n/a

79.9

40.5 – 117

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Conductance (µmho/cm)

1,600*

n/a

871

625 – 1,060

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate (ppm)

500*

n/a

125

84.4 – 145

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved Solids (ppm)

1,000*

n/a

547

388

– 690

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity (NTU)

5*

n/a

<0.1

ND – 0.2

No

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alkalinity, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

185

167

– 216

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boron (ppm)

NL = 1

n/a

0.11

ND – 0.26

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromide (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

0.22

0.104 – 0.62

n/a

2019

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calcium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

102

77.8 – 113

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromium, Hexavalent (ppb)

Not Regulated

0.02

1.4

ND – 2.3

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germanium (ppb)

Not Regulated

n/a

0.02

ND – 0.3

n/a

2019

Erosion of Natural Deposits;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardness, total as CaCO3 (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

330

248

– 372

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardness, total (grains/gal)

Not Regulated

n/a

19

14

– 22

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnesium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

18

13

– 22

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese (ppb)**

50*

n/a

0.14

ND – 1.8

No

2019

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PFAS Compounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluoro butane sulfonic acid (PFBS) (ppt)

NL = 500

n/a

5.46

ND – 14.1

n/a

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluoro heptanoic acid (PFHpA) (ppt)

Not Regulated

n/a

<4

ND – 4.9

n/a

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluoro hexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) (ppt)

Not Regulated

n/a

16.8

4.5 – 27.1

n/a

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (ppt)

Not Regulated

n/a

5.3

ND – 9.4

n/a

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (ppt)

NL = 6.5

n/a

28.7

7.1 – 48.6

n/a

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluoro octanoic acid (PFOA) (ppt)

NL = 5.1

n/a

12.4

ND – 21.2

n/a

2020

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pH (pH units)

Not Regulated

n/a

7.8

7.7

– 7.9

n/a

2020

Acidity, hydrogen ions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potassium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

4

3.2

– 5.2

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon (Unfiltered)(ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

0.28

0.17

– 0.48

n/a

2019

Various Natural and Man-made Sources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

Not Regulated

n/a

57

36.5

– 90.5

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanadium, Total (ppb)

NL = 50

n/a

<3

ND – 3.8

n/a

2020

Erosion of Natural Deposits;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million; ppt = parts per trillion; pCi/L = picoCuries per liter; NTU = nephelometric turbidity units; ND = not detected; NL = Notification Level;

n/a = not applicable; < = average is less than the detection limit for reporting purposes; MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level; PHG = California Public Health Goal; µmho/cm = micromho per centimeter

*Chemical is regulated by a secondary standard to maintain aesthetic qualities (taste, odor, color).

**Manganese is regulated with a secondary standard but was not detected, based on the detection limit for purposes of reporting of 20 ppb. Manganese was included as part of the unregulated chemicals requiring monitoring.

~ 6 ~

2020 City of Garden Grove Distribution System Water Quality

Disinfection

 

MCL

Average

Range of

MCL

Typical Source

Byproducts

 

(MRDL/MRDLG)

Amount

Detections

Violation?

of Constituent

Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)

80

27

1 – 35

No

Byproducts of Chlorine Disinfection

Haloacetic Acids (ppb)

 

60

9

ND – 10

No

Byproducts of Chlorine Disinfection

Chlorine Residual (ppm)

 

(4 / 4)

1.35

0.17 – 2.64

No

Disinfectant Added for Treatment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aesthetic Quality

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity (NTU)

 

5*

<0.1

ND – 2

No

Erosion of Natural Deposits

 

 

 

 

Eight locations in the distribution system are tested quarterly for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids;

 

 

 

thirty-three locations are tested each month for color, odor and turbidity. Color and odor were not detected in 2020.

 

 

MRDL = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; MRDLG = Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal

 

 

 

*Chemical is regulated by a secondary standard to maintain aesthetic qualities (taste, odor, color).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead and Copper Action Levels at Residential Taps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Level

Public

90th Percentile

Sites Exceeding AL /

AL

Typical Source

 

(AL)

Health Goal

Value

Number of Sites

Violation?

of Constituent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (ppb)

15

0.2

ND<5

0 / 50

No

Corrosion of Household Plumbing

Copper (ppm)

1.3

0.3

0.19

0 / 50

No

Corrosion of Household Plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every three years, at least 50 residences are tested for lead and copper at-the-tap. The most recent set of samples was collected in 2019.

Lead was not detected. Copper was detected above the reporting level in 38 samples, but none of the samples exceeded the copper Action Level.

A regulatory Action Level is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

In 2020, no school submitted a request to be sampled for lead.

Unregulated Chemicals Requiring Monitoring in the Distribution System

 

Notification

 

Average

Range of

Most Recent

Constituent

Level

PHG

Amount

Detections

Sampling Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dibromoacetic Acid (ppb)

n/a

n/a

0.64

0.4 – 1.2

2019

Source Water Assessments

Imported (MWDSC) Water Assessment

Every five years, MWDSC is required by DDW to examine possible sources of drinking water contamination in its State Water Project and Colorado River source waters.

The most recent watershed sanitary surveys of its source

water supplies from the Colorado River was

updated in 2015 and the State Water

Project was updated in 2016.

Water from the Colorado River is

considered to be most vulnerable to contamination from recreation,

urban/stormwater runoff, increasing

urbanization in the watershed, and wastewater. Water supplies from Northern California’s State Water Project are most vulnerable to contamination from urban/stormwater runoff, wildlife, agriculture, recreation, and wastewater.

USEPA also requires MWDSC to complete one Source Water Assessment (SWA) that utilizes information collected in the watershed sanitary surveys. MWDSC completed its SWA in December 2002. The SWA is used to evaluate the vulnerability of water sources to contamination and helps determine whether more protective measures are needed.

A copy of the most recent summary of either Watershed Sanitary Survey or the SWA can be obtained by calling MWDSC at

(800) CALL-MWD (225-5693).

Groundwater Assessment

An assessment of the drinking water sources for the City was completed in December 2002. The groundwater sources are considered most vulnerable to the following activities associated with contami-

nants detected in the water supply: known contaminant plumes, historic agricultural activities and application of fertilizers, and parks. The groundwater sources are considered most vulnerable to the following activities not associated with detected contaminants: confirmed leaking underground storage tanks, dry cleaners, gas stations, and photo processing/printing.

A copy of the complete assessment is available at State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, 2 MacArthur Place, Suite 150, Santa Ana, California 92707.

You may request a summary of the assessment by contacting the City at (714) 741-5395.

~ 7 ~

Contaminants


City of Garden Grove

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the California State Water Resources Control Board, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 170883
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 20

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Uranium

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • Barium
  • Bromide
  • Bromoform
  • Chlorate
  • Chlorodifluoromethane
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Manganese
  • Molybdenum
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Garden Grove Tap Water

Are you having problems with Garden Grove tap water? This may result from your neighbors consuming contaminated water, mainly if they use the same water outlet that you do. To know your options for purifying your water, there are a few different options to consider.

The first is the most expensive option, and that would be a home water purification system. This method requires the installation of tanks throughout your home, each holding one gallon of treated water. The problem with this type of water purification is the cost. It also takes up a lot of space and can be difficult to haul out and put away. There is also the risk of having impurities drift into the water supply, causing sickness or diseases in your family.

If you don’t want to spend the money on a home water purification system, you can purchase an inexpensive sub-micron filter for your kitchen faucet. These filters work in the same primary way as a reverse osmosis system, filtering smaller particles before they enter your tap water. If your garden is fenced in or you live on a large property with a well, installing one of these filters under the fenced-in area maybe your best option. These filters attach directly to the faucet, providing filtered water throughout your home. They are very effective in removing contaminants, although more extensive gardens may not see as much improvement from using one of these systems as a filter attached to the faucet.

Garden Grove Drinking Water

The Garden Grove drinking water treatment plant is located on a quiet street not far from Los Angeles. I lived on the same street and was surprised that no gate or sign let me know that this facility exists. I always assumed that you would see a sign or two if you had a community water facility. You see, I live on a quiet street, and the reason I was wondering about the drinking water treatment plant in Garden Grove was that I recently moved into that very neighborhood and was amazed at how many excellent homes were being built there. The only thing I could find out was that they had a fantastic water treatment facility.

It just so happened that my neighbor was moving into the neighborhood and was installing new kitchen and bathroom fixtures. He told me that the water coming from his new water line was OK but did not like the taste. Well, let me tell you, that is precisely what the chlorination process does to water. When water is sent through the chlorination process, it becomes de-mineralized and tastes like dirt. The reverse osmosis process eliminates all the unwanted substances in your water, but there is no such thing as a sterile water solution. Chlorination is a complete waste of money when dealing with water.

Now then, there are other ways to purify water. You can install a water softener, but I don’t know anyone who wants to pay for that. They wish to the drinking water that comes from the tap. I do not know anyone who believes that they should pay for the bottled water either. There is a way to deal with all of the contaminants in your tap water by installing a home water purification system. The systems that are available today get rid of the chlorine from your tap water and at the same time remove many other harmful substances as well.

Garden Grove Water Quality

If you own a home in Garden Grove, California, and you are concerned about water quality, you may want to have your water tested. Because of a large number of chemical treatment facilities and industries located here in Orange County, the water supply that comes through your tap can be contaminated with numerous contaminants, many of which can’t be seen or smelled. It’s not uncommon for chemicals like zinc to be detected in drinking water, and because of all of this, the quality of the water in your home can be seriously compromised.

There are some options available for you if you want to check the water in your home. One of the easiest things to do is install a point-of-use water analysis device on your kitchen tap. The device will give you results on the contaminants in your water you are currently receiving and see where you need to make adjustments. Another good idea is to test the water that runs into your bathtub. Many people don’t think to do this, but doing so can reveal a lot about your water quality. For example, if you discover that your bathwater is chlorinated, you’ll know that you need to change the water that you are using, but you may not know why the chlorine has been added to the water.

Fortunately, it isn’t hard to protect yourself from various water contaminants. You can purchase water filtration systems for your showerhead and faucets, as well as multiple pitchers and containers. If you live in a home that uses tap water for cooking, there are several different options for under-the-sink filters and sanitizers. Also, various appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators, can be made more efficient by adding a point-of-use filter to them. Once you have found an effective water filtration system for your home, you’ll be able to feel confident that your family is getting only clean, healthy water.

Garden Grove Water Resources Control Board

The City of Garden Grove, California, has two primary water resources: Central Contractor Water Funding and the City of Garden Grove. The City of Garden Grove is conveniently located in the Redwood National Forests, so it receives an average of 9 million visitors per year. This means that Garden Grove has a thriving economy through outdoor recreation and tourism. In addition to receiving a steady flow of visitors, the City also has its water source. A drought has caused the City to buy the rights from the Redwood Company to supply water to its users.

The Central Contractor Water Funding Board regulates all purchases of water from the Redwood Company. By purchasing water rights, the City ensures that the Redwood Company will continue to provide a steady amount of water to Garden Grove. The Central Contractor is also responsible for confirming that the City complies with all federal and state regulations regarding water. All purchases are held to stringent guidelines by the City. If the City detects a problem, they must notify the Redwood Company and ensure that the company corrects the problem.

The City of Garden Grove uses a voting process to choose who owns the water rights to be used within the city limits. This means that there can be a long and contentious battle for who gets the right to pump the City’s water. If the water rights are not sold out to a willing buyer, the City will have a tough time finding new buyers. In the past, the Garden Grove City Council had voted to renew the contract with the Redwood Company. However, with the recession, the City is looking for other sources of revenue.

Garden Grove Surface Water

The City of Garden Grove is located in the center of the Orange County Metropolitan Planning Areas. It is bordered on three sides by the L.A. Freeway, the Hollywood Freeway, and the Pacific Coast Highway. It is known as one of the most urban and liveable places in Southern California. It was named such because of its population’s high growth rate, which exceeds 20% per year. Because of its proximity to the beach, families come to relax by the beach or walk on the nature trails. In its planning and development stages, the city anticipated that many people would enjoy the beautiful beachfront property that makes up the majority of the area. Still, many of the planned communities were met with opposition from nearby residents who feared losing the open space that made up most of the community.

The resistance to the Garden Grove City Planner’s vision was a grassroots effort, and the City fathers took their message directly to the residents of the area. Most of the objections focused on losing the open space that the community so desired. Many of the residents were concerned that they would not be able to get to the beach due to the high water table on the city’s southern end. They also worried that the addition of the new communities could damage the natural drainage system of the area.

There have been a few changes to the Garden Grove community plan. The city has emphasized using natural topography to its advantage and has placed some restrictions on building larger structures along the beach. It is hoped that the new Beach Access Park will increase the amount of access to the beach and will make beach house rental more popular. Another new plan that was put into motion restricts the amount of surface water used in the public beaches and waterfalls. Although these measures prove successful in preserving the area’s natural topography, the community’s long-term success is still an open question.

Garden Grove Water Services

Garden Grove water services have piped all around their location and are not very expensive to use. The problem that you might run into is that you do not always know how to get the right kind of water for your lawn, and you will have to hire someone to take care of that for you. You also do not want to run out of water during a storm and end up having to call someone else to fix your lawn because you did not think about getting more. It does not matter what size the lawn is because it has many different options to choose from. If you want to get more than one tank of water for all of your needs, then you can have that as well.

When it comes to Garden Grove water services, you will find that everything they offer is very affordable, and the prices do not go above your budget. You will be able to get a tank of water for just a few dollars a gallon. If you are having problems with your lawn or your garden and do not know how to fix them, you should look into getting some water from Garden Grove. You will be happy that you looked into this route instead of calling a plumber on the weekend. They can even come and change your filter if it has gotten clogged up and you do not know what to do about it.

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