WHAT IS THIS REPORT?
Rosamond Community Services District is proud of the fine drinking water it provides.  This annual water quality report shows the source of our water, lists the results of our tests, and contains important information about water and health.

The bottom line:  Is the water safe to drink?

Absolutely!
 
WHERE DOES THE WATER COME FROM?
The Rosamond CSD provides water from a blend of surface and groundwater.  The Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency (AVEK) supplies surface water to us.  Surface water is blended with water from the Districts four producing water wells and then is distributed through the distribution system to your home.  The District also maintains six and one-half million gallons of water storage in five above ground tanks so that you can have drinking water available to your homes. 

WHAT SHOULD BE IN MY WATER?
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, steams, 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 from human activity. 

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION
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 under gone 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/Center 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).

WHAT ABOUT RADON?
There is no Federal Regulation for radon levels in drinking water at this time. Radon is found throughout the U.S.  It is a radioactive gas that you can’t see, taste, or smell.  Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes in the foundation.  Radon can also get into indoor air when released from tap water from showering, washing dishes, and other household activities.  Compared to radon entering the home through soil, radon entering the home through tap water will in most cases be a small source of radon in indoor air. If you are concerned about radon in your home and would like additional information on how to test your home, contact the EPS’s Radon Hotline (800-SOS-RADON).

WHAT ABOUT ARSENIC?
The EPA has been reviewing the drinking water standard for arsenic because of special concerns that it may not be stringent enough.    In January 2001, the EPA set the new arsenic MCL at 10 ppb.  By January 2006 all water systems are required to meet the new arsenic MCL. While your drinking water meets the current standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic.  The standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water.  The California Department of Health Services continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and other circulatory problems.

HOW TO READ YOUR WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Our water is tested regularly for many contaminants.  The results of tests performed in 2006 and 2007 are presented here. 
Public Health Goal or PHG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  PHGs are set by California Environmental Protection Agency.  If the number in this column is in parentheses, it is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG.  This is 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.
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL is 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.
Average and Range shows the results observed in our water during the most recent round of testing. AVERAGE is the average of values detected for each contaminant.  RANGE is the range of all tested levels from low to high during the testing period.
Source of Contaminants provides an explanation of the typical natural or man-made origins of the contaminant.
Regulatory Action Level (AL) is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT) is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Primary Drinking Water Standard (PDWS) MCLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.

WHAT CONTAMINANTS MIGHT BE IN THE WATER?
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
(A) Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
(B) Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
(C) Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
(D) Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems.
(E) Radioactive contaminants, that can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.