CENTRAL & SOUTH SERVICE AREA (CSA & SSA)

Range

(LO/HI)

Range

(LO/HI)

Chromium Hexavalent

5 Uranium

 6 TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes]

9 Total Coliform Bacteria

0.24 NTU

Special Notice: E. coli Detection:
On 09/29/2025, SCWA received an E. Coli and total coliform positive distribution system sample in the Laguna/ Vineyard (CSA/ SSA) public water system. The positive bacteriological sample triggered repeat and source well samples which returned negative for Total coliform and E. coli. SCWA immediately conducted an investigation but found no sanitary defects in the distribution system. SCWA believes the increase in E. coli positive samples was caused by the sampling method used by the company that took the samples. All bacteriological samples are now taken by SCWA operators.
Although E. coli was detected, the CSA/ SSA water system is not in violation of the E. coli MCL.

NOTES:
1. The Central and South Service Area (CSA/SSA) is a blend of groundwater from the Laguna/ Vineyard/ Country Creek Estates/ Grantline 99 water system and surface water from the Vineyard Surface Water Treatment Plant (VSWTP) and the City of Sacramento Water.
2. 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.
3. Surface Water is from SCWA's VSWTP and from the City of Sacramento. Respectively, these sources provided approximately 56% and 9% of the water distributed to customers in 2025. For more information regarding the City of Sacramento's water quality data, go online (http://portal.cityofsacramento.org/Utilities/Education/water-quality) or call (916) 264-5011.
4. Only Surface water sources must monitor for Disinfection By-Product precursors. Treatment Technique is not required if the raw or treated water TOC is < 2 PPM.
5. The SWRCB allows the measurement of gross alpha radiation as a surrogate for Uranium.
6. Total Trihalomethanes are the sum of Four Regulated THMs, i.e., Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, and Bromoform.
7. Haloacetic Acids are the Sum of Five Regulated HAAs, i.e., Monochloroacetic Acid, Monobromoacetic Acid, Dichloroacetic Acid, Dibromoacetic Acid, and Trichloroacetic Acid.
8. The CSA/SSA water system’s facilities are all fluoridated to reduce tooth decay in children. Studies show that water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 20 to 40 percent. The SWRCB advised SCWA to implement the Center for Disease Control & Prevention's (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.
9. On Systems that collect more than 40 samples per month, the Total Coliform (TC) Bacteria MCL is 5% of the samples collected in any one month return TC positive. A positive TC sample triggers three (3) resamples in the distribution system and collection at the source (i.e., groundwater wells) of samples for TC & E. coli, per the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) and the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR). In 2025, all re-samples taken per the GWR & RTCR returned negative (absent) for TC & E. coli.
10. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. 0.24 NTU is the highest individual measurement in 2025. 100% of the monthly samples were in compliance (below the 0.3 NTU range). SCWA monitors turbidity because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of its filtration systems. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants. Only surface water sources must comply with PDWS for turbidity.

11 Total Hardness (as CaCO3)

12 Total Hardness (as CaCO3)

NOTES:

11. In the 2nd Quarter of 2019 and the 4th quarter of 2020, the SWRCB DDW directed SCWA to complete four quarters of sampling in four of our water systems. SCWA tested for PFAS at groundwater wells near locations where the chemicals are believed to be especially prevalent. After completing the required monitoring for PFAS, SCWA began (in 2020) testing for these chemicals at water sources located in the EWG and Hood water systems. The analysis results at EWG and Hood returned Non-Detect. 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

SAMPLE

DATE

Notification

Level (#15)

Response

Level (#16)

NOTES:
14 Starting in the 2nd Quarter of 2019, SCWA (per SWRCB DDW direction) began PFAS monitoring at numerous wells in the CSA/SSA water system. SCWA concentrated testing where detectable amounts of PFAS were found in groundwater wells. The wells at which lab analysis results returned exceeding the Notificatioin Levels are taken off-line and used only for emergency purposes. 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

15 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, 500 PPT for PFBS and 3 PPT for PFHxS. If the NL is exceeded, the water agency (SCWA) is required to report the results to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, the SWRCB DDW, and the customer.

16 The SWRCB DDW established a Response Level (RL) of 10 PPT for PFOA, 40 PPT for PFOS, 5000 PPT for PFBS and 20 PPT for PFHxS. 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.

17a The CSA/ SSA water system's Banyan Well (W42), Duck Slough Well (W43), Feather Creek Well (W47) & Big Horn North Well (W52) had levels of PFHxS which exceeded the SWRCB's notification level (NL) of 3 PPT.  These four direct feed wells were made "Emergency Use Only wells and did not contribute to the distribution system in 2025.  PFAS analysis results for all other wells in the CSA/ SSA water system are Non-Detect. 

17b The CSA/ SSA water system's Banyan Well (W42) & Feather Creek Well (W47) had levels of PFOA which exceeded the SWRCB's response level (RL) of 10 PPT.  Duck Slough Well (W43) & Big Horn North Well (W52) had levels of PFOA which exceeded the SWRCB's notification level (NL) of 5.1 PPT.  These four direct feed wells were made "Emergency Use Only wells and did not contribute to the distribution system in 2025.  PFAS analysis results for all other wells in the CSA/ SSA water system are Non-Detect.

17c The CSA/ SSA water system's Banyan Well (W42), Duck Slough Well (W43), Feather Creek Well (W47) & Big Horn North Well (W52) had levels of PFOS which exceeded the SWRCB's notification level (NL) of 6.5 PPT.  These four direct feed wells were made "Emergency Use Only wells and did not contribute to the distribution system in 2025.  PFAS analysis results for all other wells in the CSA/ SSA water system are Non-Detect.

NOTES:

18. Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps U.S. EPA and the State Water Resources Control Board to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the contaminants need to be regulated.
19. SCWA is required by The Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5), which was published by the U.S. EPA in December 2021, to monitor for 29 PFAS and lithium. The wells which had constituent levels greater than the notification level (NL) have been taken off-line and are used for emergency purposes only. For more information, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule.

Lead:
Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and parts used in service lines and in home plumbing. The Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in the plumbing in your home. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when your tap sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Using a filter, certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead, is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes. You can do this by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for a longer period. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact Aaron Wyley with SCWA by phone [(916)875-5815]. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at https://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

SCWA Lead Assessment Program

SCWA was required to conduct an inventory of all water service lines, which are the pipes that connect customers’ homes and buildings to the water main. SCWA completed the lead service line inventory in March 2026. Service lines still classified as unknown were notified in April 2026 that SCWA is working to finish identifying these materials by 2028. Information on SCWAs Lead Assessment Program, including resources and lead related health information can be found at the following link: https://waterresources.saccounty.gov/us/en/water-agency/LeadAssessmentProgram.html#gsc.tab=0