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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: JUNE 17, 2013 TITLE: PUBLIC HEARING — REPORT ON WATER QUALITY RELATIVE TO PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS //;7 G ANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2n" Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Accept the report on Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals. DISCUSSION The United States Environmental Protection Agency ( USEPA) sets national regulatory standards, known as Primary Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is then responsible for enforcing compliance with these MCLs, and sometimes makes them more stringent. In addition, the California Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment establishes Public Health Goals (PHGs) for drinking water contaminants to serve as guidance for regulatory agencies and the public. A PHG represents a health - protective level for a contaminant that public water systems should strive to achieve, if it is feasible to do so. A PHG does not establish a "safe" level of a contaminant; it is merely a goal. As long as drinking water complies with all MCLs enforced by CDPH, it is considered safe for public consumption, even if it contains contaminants at levels exceeding the PHG. Under the provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, the City is required to prepare a special report identifying water quality measurements that have exceeded PHGs. The City prepared this special report in accordance with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) guidelines. (See Exhibit 1.) For 2010, 2011, and 2012, the report shows that Santa Ana's drinking water continues to meet all State of California, Department of Public Health, and USEPA drinking water standards set to protect public health. However, the City's drinking water content of naturally occurring uranium, arsenic, and copper exceeded the recommended PHG levels. Based on the USEPA studies for naturally occurring uranium and arsenic, additional treatment would be very expensive, marginally effective, and will not result in significant reduction of the contaminants. Therefore, no action is proposed. The best available technology to reduce copper levels is optimized corrosion control. The California Department of Public Health has determined that the City has optimized corrosion control with our treatment and monitoring procedures. Therefore, implementation of new treatment technologies is also not recommended. 75A -1