Arden Park Vista, Northgate & Southwest Tract

Water Quality Report

DETECTED PRIMARY STANDARDS - Mandatory Health-Related Standards Established by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board)
CONSTITUENTSample Date UnitsPHG or MCLG or MRDLGMCL or MRDLMajor Sources in Drinking WaterArden Park Vista    Northgate SWT 

Range

(L/H)

Weighted Ave.

Range

(L/H)

Weighted Ave. 

Range

(L/H)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Arsenic2019 - 2025PPB0.00410Erosion of natural deposits from orchard, glass & electronic production wastes.ND - 3.6ND 3.5 - 5.24.1 2.0 - 5.03.3 
Barium2019 - 2025PPM21Discharges of oil drilling wastes and from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits.ND - 0.1ND ND - 0.140.12 ND - 0.20.1 
Chromium (Total Cr)2019 - 2025PPB(100)50Discharge from steel and pulp mills and chrome plating; erosion of natural deposits.NDND ND - 11ND NDND 

3 Chromium Hexavalent

2020 - 2025PPB0.0210Erosion of natural deposits; transformation of naturally occurring trivalent chromium to hexavalent chromium by natural processes and human activities such as discharges from electroplating factories, leather tanneries, wood preservation, chemical synthesis, refractory production, and textile manufacturing facilities.ND - 4.22.3 7.2 - 129.75 3.5 - 6.74.9 
Fluoride (Natural Source)2023 - 2025PPM12Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.NDND 0.16 - 0.660.21 NDND 
Nitrate (as N)2025PPM1010Runoff and leaching from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits.ND - 4.72.0 0.46 - 2.501.43 1.8 - 7.34.7 
REGULATED ORGANIC CHEMICALS
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)2022 - 2024PPB0.065Discharge from factories, dry cleaners and auto shops (metal degreaser).NDND NDND ND - 3.40.51 
Trichloroethylene (TCE)2022 - 2024PPB1.75Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories.NDND NDND ND - 0.7ND 
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS
Gross Alpha Activity2014 - 2024pCi/L(0)15Erosion of natural deposits.ND - 4.5ND NDND ND - 9.25.2 

4 Uranium

2014 - 2024pC/L0.4320Erosion of natural deposits.ND - 1.7ND ND - 1.5ND 1.6 - 8.44.2 
Radium 2262022 - 2025pC/L0.055Erosion of natural depositsND - 1.02ND NDND NDND 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Chlorine Residuals2025PPM[4][4.0]Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment0.47 - 1.901.37 0.90 - 1.801.70 0.41 - 1.100.78 

5 TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes]

2025PPBn/a80Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.ND - 240.93 NDND 1212 
Five Haloacetic Acids Level (HAA5)2025PPBn/a60Byproduct of drinking water disinfection.NDND NDND 4.704.70 
Fluoride (Treatment Related- Distribution)2025PPM12Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.0.63 - 0.900.76 NANA 0.2 - 1.70 
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTSLEVEL FOUND LEVEL FOUND LEVEL FOUND 

7 Total Coliform Bacteria

2025# of Positive Samples(0)>1Naturally present in the environment.1 0 0 

NOTES:

  1. The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB DDW) allows Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.  Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old. 
  2. Southwest Tract (SWT) receives its water from California American Water's Fruitridge Vista Water system.  For questions regarding water quality on Southwest Tract, please call CAW-Northern Division's Water Quality/ Environmental Compliance Manager, Vanessa Arroyo at 916-568-4225.   
  3. Chromium (hexavalent) was detected at levels that exceed the chromium (hexavalent) MCL. While a water system of our size is not considered in violation of the chromium (hexavalent) MCL until after October 1, 2028, we are working to address this exceedance and comply with the MCL.  Specifically, SCWA placed the well which exceeded the 10 PPB MCL in "Emergency Use Only" status. SCWA has retained a consultant to develop an effective, efficient treatment process for the Northgate wells which have historically exceeded the 10 ppb hexavalent chromium MCL. SCWA is in the process of developing plans to be submitted and construction completed by the referenced compliance date (10/1/2028).
  4. The SWRCB DDW allows the measurement of gross alpha radiation as a surrogate for Uranium.
  5. Total Trihalomethanes are the sum of Four Regulated TTHMs, i.e., Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, and Bromoform.
  6. The Arden Park Vista (APV) water system’s facilities are fluoridated to reduce tooth decay in children.  Studies show that water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 20 to 40 percent.  The SWRCB DDW advised SCWA to implement the CDC’s recommended optimal fluoride content of 0.7 mg/L and control range of 0.6 mg/L – 1.2 mg/L.  Information about fluoridation, oral health and current issues is available from http://waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/Fluoridation.html.
  7. On Systems that collect less than 40 samples per month, the Total Coliform Bacteria MCL is no more than one (1) monthly sample return total coliform positive, per the Total Coliform Rule (TCR).  A positive TC sample triggers collection of samples for E. coli at the source (i.e., groundwater wells) per the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR).  In 2025, all samples taken per the GWR returned negative (absent) for E. coli.
SECONDARY STANDARDS - Aesthetic Standards Established by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board)
CONSTITUENTSAMPLE DATE:UNITSPHG or (MCLG) or [MRDLG]MCL or [MRDL]MAJOR SOURCES IN DRINKING WATERARDEN PARK VISTA NORTHGATE SWT 
RANGE (LO-HI)WEIGHTED AVERAGERANGE (LO-HI)WEIGHTED AVERAGERANGE (LO-HI)WEIGHTED AVERAGE
Color2016 - 2025UnitsN/A15Naturally-occurring organic materialsND - 51 NDND ND - 50.8 
Iron2016 - 2025PPBN/A300Leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastesNDND ND - 100ND NDND 
Odor-Threshold2016 - 2025UnitsN/A3Naturally-occurring organic materials.ND - 1.5ND ND -41.32 ND - 1ND 
Turbidity2016 - 2025UnitsN/A5Soil runoffND - 0.360.10 ND - 1.30.15 0.1 - 1.31.5 
Total Dissolved Solids2016 - 2025PPMN/A1000Runoff/leaching from natural deposits.94 - 390225 220 - 340314 85 - 510279 
Specific Conductance (E.C.)2017 - 2025umhos/cmN/A1600Substances that form ions when in water; seawater influence90 - 510284 270 - 530452 130 - 790411 
Chloride2016 - 2025PPMN/A500Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; seawater influence.1.9 - 2911.0 22 - 6638 4.2 - 4523.0 
Sulfate2016 - 2025PPMN/A500Runoff/leaching from natural deposits; industrial wastes2.4 - 2612.3 6.0 - 25.017.0 5.6 - 3918.0 
OTHER CONSTITUENTS ANALYZED
pH2016 - 2025UNITSN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.6.9 - 9.07.7 7.7 - 8.08.0 7.3 - 8.47.8 

8

Total Hardness (as CaCO3)

2016 - 2025PPMN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.33 - 220124 87 - 190160 52 - 340172 

9

Total Hardness (as CaCO3)

2016 - 2025GRAINSN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.2.0 - 13.07.0 5.0 - 11.09.0 3.1 - 19.910.1 
Total Alkalinity (as CaCO3)2016 - 2025PPMN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.43 - 190118 90 - 160132 49 - 310151 
Bicarbonate (as HCO3)2016 - 2025PPMN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.43 - 190118 97 - 200155 NANA 
Sodium2016 - 2025PPMN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.3.6 - 169.9 24 - 3330 15 - 2519 
Calcium2016 - 2025PPMN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.5.8 - 4526.9 17 - 3931 14 - 8241 
Magnesium2016 - 2025PPMN/AMODue to chemicals naturally occurring in the soil below the earth's surface.4.5 - 2714.5 11 - 2320 10 - 4020 
LEAD & COPPER (See Note 10)

CONTAMINANT		SAMPLE DATEUNITSPHG or (MCLG)ACTIONLEVEL MAJOR SOURCES IN DRINKING WATERNUMBER OF SAMPLES  90TH % LEVEL DETECTED NUMBER EXCEEDING AL 
(APV) Lead2025PPB(0.2)15Internal corrosion of household water plumbing systems; discharges from industrial manufactures; erosion of natural deposits.30 ND 0 

Copper		2025PPM(0.3)1.3Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.30 0.17 0 
(NORTHGATE) Lead2025PPB(0.2)15Internal corrosion of household water plumbing systems; discharges from industrial manufactures; erosion of natural deposits.10 ND 0 

Copper		2025PPM(0.3)1.3Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.10 0.25 0 
(SWT) Lead2022PPB(0.2)15Internal corrosion of household water plumbing systems; discharges from industrial manufactures; erosion of natural deposits.5 ND 0 
 Copper2022PPM(0.3)1.3Internal corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives.5 0.041 0 
PER- & POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) - See # 11
The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB DDW) established new drinking water guidelines for water agencies to follow in detecting and reporting the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) – four members of a large family of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Until PFOA and PFOS were phased out in the 2000s due to health concerns, these chemicals were widely used in grease and stain resistant coatings for consumer products and firefighting foams. Drinking water containing PFAS has become an increasing concern due to the persistence of these chemicals in the environment and their tendency to accumulate in groundwater. Long-term exposure to PFAS over certain levels is associated with adverse health effects that include cancer and developmental harm. SWRCB DDW has identified analytical methods capable of detecting the following twenty-five (25) perfluorinated compounds in drinking water:
CONTAMINANT

SAMPLE

DATE

UNITS

Notification

Level (#13)

Response

Level (#14)

HEALTH EFFECTS LANGUAGEArden Park Vista Northgate Southwest Tract 
RANGEAVERAGERANGEAVERAGERANGE AVERAGE
12 Perfluorooctanoic Acid [PFOA]2021 - 2025PPT5.110Perfluorooctanoic acid exposures resulted in increased liver weight and cancer in laboratory animals.NDND ND - 15ND NDND 
12 Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid [PFOS]2021 - 2025PPT6.540Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid exposures resulted in immune suppression and cancer in laboratory animals.NDND ND - 12ND NDND 
12 Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid [PFHxS]2021 - 2025PPT3.020Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid exposures resulted in decreased total thyroid hormone in male rats.NDND ND - 12ND NDND 
Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS)2021 - 2025PPT5005000Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid exposures resulted in decreased thyroid hormone in pregnant female mice.NDND ND - 5.1ND NDND 
perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)2021- 2025PPTn/an/a NDND ND - 8.4ND NDND 

NOTES:
8 Hardness units are PPM. General guidelines for classification of water hardness are: 0 - 60 PPM as soft; 61 - 120 PPM as moderately hard; 121 - 180 PPM as hard; and greater than 180 PPM as very hard.

9 Most commercial companies use "grain" units. Conversion: 17.1 PPM = 1 grain.

10 The levels for Lead & Copper concentrations were obtained from the 90th percentile sampling of thirty (30) homes at the tap for Arden Park Vista (APV), ten (10) for Northgate (NOR) & five (5) for Southwest Tract (SWT). The MCLs for lead and copper are set at "Action Levels" (AL). None of the samples taken in APV, NOR or SWT exceeded the Action Level for Copper or Lead. Please refer to the educational information on Lead in drinking water.

11 Starting in the 2nd Quarter of 2019, SCWA (per SWRCB DDW direction) began PFAS monitoring at numerous wells in the APV & NOR water systems. The results for PFAS monitoring in the APV system returned Non-Detect. SCWA continued testing where detectable amounts of PFAS were found in groundwater wells in the Northgate 880 water system. For questions about PFAS monitoring in the SWT system, please contact CAW-Northern Divisions's Environmental Compliance Manager, Vaness Arroyo at 916-568-4225. SCWA continued testing where detectable amounts of PFAS were found in groundwater wells in the Northgate 880 water system. For more information on PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, please visit the SWRCB DDW’s resource page: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/pfas.html.

12a APV water system's Firehouse Well (W3) had levels of PFOA which exceeded the Notification Level (NL) of 5.1 PPT. The Northgate 880 small water system's Westgate Well (W16) had levels of PFOA which exceeded the SWRCB's Response Level (RL) Well-16 was deemed "Emergency Use Only" in 2022 and has not contributed to the distribution system since then. The weighted average results for PFAS analysis for all wells in both the APV and Northgate water systems returned Non-Detectable.

12b APV water system's Tolenas Well (W2), Firehouse Well (W3) and the Northgate 880 small water system's Westgate Well (W16) had levels of PFOS which exceeded the SWRCB's Notification Level (NL) of 6.5 PPT. The weighted average results for PFAS analysis for all wells in both the APV and Northgate water systems returned Non-Detectable.

 

12c The Northgate 880 small water system's Westgate Well (W16) had levels of PFHxS which exceeded the SWRCB's Notification Level (NL) of 3 PPT. Well-16 was deemed "Emergency Use Only" in 2022 and has not contributed to the distribution system since then. The weighted average results for PFAS analysis for all wells in both the APV and Northgate water systems returned Non-Detectable.

13 The guidelines adopted by the SWRCB DDW set Notification Levels (NL) of 5.1 parts per trillion (PPT) for PFOA, 6.5 PPT for PFOS, 3 PPT for PFHxS & 500 PPT for PFBS. If the NL is exceeded, the water agency (SCWA) is required to report the results to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and to the SWRCB DDW. The water agency is also urged to report this information to the customer on the annual CCR.

14 The SWRCB DDW established a Response Level (RL) of 10 PPT for PFOA, 40 PPT for PFOS, 20 PPT for PFHxS & 5000 PPT for PFBS. If the RL is exceeded in drinking water provided to consumers, the SWRCB DDW recommends that the water agency consider taking the water source out of service, provide treatment if that option is available, or provide public notice of the exceedance level.

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RULE (UCMR5) - Established by USEPA (See 15)
CONTAMINANT

SAMPLE 

DATE

UNITS

MRL

(ng/L)

Notification 

Level

HEALTH EFFECTS LANGUAGEArden Park Vista Northgate Southwest Tract 
RANGEWTD. AVG.RANGEWTD. AVG.RANGEWTD. AVG.
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)2024 - 2025PPT46.5Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid expsures resulted in immune suppression and cancer in laboratory animalsND - 8.3ND NRNR NDND 
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
2024 - 2025PPT45'Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid exposures resulted in increased liver weight and cancer in laboratory animals.
ND - 5.5ND NRNR NDND 

NOTES:

15 'The Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) was published by the U.S. EPA in December 2021. As part of this rule, the Arden Park Vista (APV) water system is required to monitor for 29 PFAS and lithium. The table above shows the detected levels of all constituents sampled and analyzed for UCMR5 in 2024 - 2025. The NOR water systems were not required to sample for the UCMR5. For more information on the levels of unregulated contaminants found in SWT's system, please contact CAW-Northern Divisions's Environmental Compliance Manager, Vaness Arroyo at 916-568-4225.

PARTS PER MILLION (PPM) OR MILLIGRAMS PER LITER (mg/L)
Parts per million (PPM) and milligrams per liter (mg/L) are units of measurement to determine the amount of a chemical in water. If we thought of each "part" or "milligram" as a second in a period of time, the following time frames would be an appropriate or accurate comparison:
1 milligram per liter (mg/L)or1 part per million (PPM)   =1 second in 11.5 days    
1 microgram per liter (μg/L)or1 part per billion (PPB)   =1 second in nearly 32 years    
1 nanogram per liter (ng/L)or1 part per trillion (PPT)   =1 second in nearly 32,000 years    
1 picogram per liter (pg/L)or1 part per quadrillion (PPQ)   =1 second in nearly 32,000,000 years    
100% of the water for the Arden Park Vista and Northgate water systems comes from groundwater wells. Southwest Tract water is supplied by Cal-Am Water. For more detailed information regarding SCWA water quality, please call Aaron Wyley @ (916) 875-5815.
LEGEND:
AL…Regulatory Action Level MRL…Maximum Report Level  NL…Notification Level pCi/L…Pico Curies per Liter    RL….Response Level  
MFL…Million Fibers Per Liter NA…Not Analyzed  NR…Not Required PPB…Parts per Billion (ug/l)    TOC…Total Organic Carbon  
MO…Monitored Only n/a…Not Applicable  NTU…Nephelometric Turbidity Units PPM…Parts per Million (mg/l)    TT…Treatment Technique  
MPN…Most Probable Number ND…Non-Detected  PDWS…Primary Drinking Water Standard PPT…Parts per Trillion (ng/l)    WTP…Water Treatment Plant  
DEFINITIONS
Average: The annual average of all tests for a particular substance.
Detection Limit for Reporting: The limit at or above which a contaminant is detected.
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.
Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
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 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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.
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.
Primary Drinking Water Standards (PDWS): MCLs, MRDLs and treatment techniques (TTs) for contaminants that affect health, along with their monitoring and reporting requirements.
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.
Range (Lo - Hi): The range between the lowest and highest values of a specific substance measured throughout the course of the year.
Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Weighted Average (WTD AVG): An average of water quality samples in which each sample is assigned a weight. Each sample's contribution (or weight) is based on the amount of water the corresponding water source produces
for the whole system. Instead of each of the sample results contributing equally to the final average, some of the results contribute more than others.
State Mandated Information for Nitrate, Arsenic & Lead:
Nitrate:
Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 mg/L is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. Such nitrate levels in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of the infant's blood to carry oxygen, resulting in a serious illness; symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L may also affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen in other individuals, such as pregnant women and those with certain specific enzyme deficiencies. If you are caring for an infant, or you are pregnant, you should ask advice from your health care provider. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity.
Arsenic:
While your drinking water meets the federal and state standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. The arsenic standard balances the current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 circulatory problems.
Lead:
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 Sacramento County Water Agency 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 do so, you may wish to collect the flushed water and reuse it for another beneficial purpose, such as watering plants. 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 or at http://www.epa.gov/lead.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT
To help protect the quality of existing and future groundwater supplies, the Drinking Water Source Assessment and Protection (DWSAP) program calls for examining the vulnerability of drinking water sources to potential contamination. The Water Agency completed its latest comprehensive report in May 2019. The Water Agency's report identified the following potential contamination results:
Arden Park Vista & Northgate:
Most vulnerable to commercial types of activities such as the dry cleaning business, gas stations, a sewer collection system and a leaking underground storage tank, electronic manufacturers and photo processors.
Central & South Service Area (CSA & SSA)
Most vulnerabe to activities including automobile-gas stations; boat services/ repair/ refinishing; chemical/ petroleum pipelines; dry cleaners; fleet/ truck/ bus terminal; grazing; historic waste dumps/ landfills; leaking underground storage tanks; other animal operations; pesticides/ fertilizer/ petroleum storage transfer areas; plastics/ synthetics producers; research laboratory; wells-agricultural/ irrigation types; wells-oil, gas, and geothermal types; wood preserving/ treating and sewer collection systems.
Hood, East Walnut Grove and Delta Estates:
Most vulnerable to irrigated crops and septic systems.
North Service Area (NSA):
Most vulnerable to commercial types of activities such as grazing, known contaminant plumes, low-density septic systems, sewer collection systems and wells-agricultural irrigation types