Appendix 64465-A. Health Effects Language Microbiological Contaminants
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
E. coli | E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely-compromised immune systems. |
Coliform Assessment and/or Corrective Action Violations | Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessment(s) to identify problems and to correct any problems that were found. |
For a public notice, the water system shall use the following applicable sentences: | |
We failed to conduct the required assessment. | |
We failed to correct all identified sanitary defects that were found during the assessment(s). | |
E. coli Assessment and/or Corrective Action Violations | E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. We violated the standard for E. coli, indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct a detailed assessment to identify problems and to correct any problems that are found. |
For a public notice, the water system shall use the following applicable sentences: | |
We failed to conduct the required assessment. | |
We failed to correct all identified sanitary defects that were found during the assessment. | |
Seasonal System Treatment Technique Violations | When this violation includes the failure to monitor for total coliforms or E. coli prior to serving water to the public, the mandatory language found at section 64465(a)(11) shall be used. |
When the violation includes failure to complete other actions, the appropriate elements found in sections 64465(a)(1) through (10) to describe the violation shall be used. | |
Turbidity | Turbidity has no health effects. However, high levels of turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. . |
Appendix 64465-B. Health Effects Language Surface Water Treatment
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
Giardia lamblia | Inadequately treated water may contain |
Viruses | disease-causing organisms. These organisms |
Heterotrophic plate | include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that |
count bacteria | can cause symptoms such as nausea, |
Legionella | cramps, diarrhea, and associated |
Cryptosporidium | headaches. |
Appendix 64465-C. Health Effects Language Radioactive Contaminants
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
Gross Beta particle activity | Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta and photon emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Strontium-90 | Some people who drink water containing strontium-90 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Tritium | Some people who drink water containing tritium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Gross Alpha particle activity | Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Combined Radium 226/228 | Some people who drink water containing radium 226 or 228 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Total Radium (for nontransient noncommunity water systems) | Some people who drink water containing radium 223, 224, or 226 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Uranium | Some people who drink water containing uranium in excess of the MCL over many years may have kidney problems or an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Appendix 64465-D. Health Effects Language Inorganic Contaminants
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
Aluminum | Some people who drink water containing aluminum in excess of the MCL over many years may experience short-term gastrointestinal tract effects. |
Antimony | Some people who drink water containing antimony in excess of the MCL over many years may experience increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood sugar. |
Arsenic | Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years may experience skin damage or circulatory system problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Asbestos | Some people who drink water containing asbestos in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps. |
Barium | Some people who drink water containing barium in excess of the MCL over many years may experience an increase in blood pressure. |
Beryllium | Some people who drink water containing beryllium in excess of the MCL over many years may develop intestinal lesions. |
Cadmium | Some people who drink water containing cadmium in excess of the MCL over many years may experience kidney damage. |
Chromium (hexavalent) | Some people who drink water containing hexavalent chromium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Chromium (total) | Some people who use water containing chromium in excess of the MCL over many years may experience allergic dermatitis. |
Copper | Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time may experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years may suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal doctor. |
Cyanide | Some people who drink water containing cyanide in excess of the MCL over many years may experience nerve damage or thyroid problems. |
Fluoride | For the Consumer Confidence Report: Some people who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the federal MCL of 4 mg/L over many years may get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Children who drink water containing fluoride in excess of the state MCL of 2 mg/L may get mottled teeth. |
For a Public Notice: This is an alert about your drinking water and a cosmetic dental problem that might affect children under nine years of age. At low levels, fluoride can help prevent cavities, but children drinking water containing more than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of fluoride may develop cosmetic discoloration of their permanent teeth (dental fluorosis). The drinking water provided by your community water system [name] has a fluoride concentration of [insert value] mg/L. Dental fluorosis may result in a brown staining and/or pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children under nine should be provided with alternative sources of drinking water or water that has been treated to remove the fluoride to avoid the possibility of staining and pitting of their permanent teeth. You may also want to contact your dentist about proper use by young children of fluoride-containing products. Older children and adults may safely drink the water. Drinking water containing more than 4 mg/L of fluoride can increase your risk of developing bone disease. For more information, please call [water systemcontact name] of [water system name] at [phone number]. Some home water treatment units are also available to remove fluoride from drinking water. To learn more about available home water treatment units, you may call the State Board's Residential Water Treatment Device Registration Unit at (916) 449-5600. | |
Lead | Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level may experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children may show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years may develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. |
Mercury | Some people who drink water containing mercury in excess of the MCL over many years may experience mental disturbances, or impaired physical coordination, speech and hearing. |
Nickel | Some people who drink water containing nickel in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver and heart effects. |
Nitrate | Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL may quickly become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die because high nitrate levels can interfere with the capacity of the infant's blood to carry oxygen. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. High nitrate levels may also affect the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood of pregnant women. |
Nitrite | Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite in excess of the MCL may become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin. |
Perchlorate | Perchlorate has been shown to interfere with uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland, and to thereby reduce the production of thyroid hormones, leading to adverse effects associated with inadequate hormone levels. Thyroid hormones are needed for normal prenatal growth and development of the fetus, as well as for normal growth and development in the infant and child. In adults, thyroid hormones are needed for normal metabolism and mental function. |
Selenium | Selenium is an essential nutrient. However, some people who drink water containing selenium in excess of the MCL over many years may experience hair or fingernail losses, numbness in fingers or toes, or circulation system problems. |
Thallium | Some people who drink water containing thallium in excess of the MCL over many years may experience hair loss, changes in their blood, or kidney, intestinal, or liver problems. |
Appendix 64465-E. Health Effects Language Volatile Organic Contaminants
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
Benzene | Some people who use water containing benzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience anemia or a decrease in blood platelets, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Carbon Tetrachloride | Some people who use water containing carbon tetrachloride in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
1,2-Dichlorobenzene | Some people who drink water containing 1,2-dichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems. |
1,4-Dichlorobenzene | Some people who use water containing 1,4-dichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience anemia, liver, kidney, or spleen damage, or changes in their blood. |
1,1-Dichloroethane | Some people who use water containing 1,1-dichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience nervous system or respiratory problems. |
1,2-Dichloroethane | Some people who use water containing 1,2-dichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
1,1-Dichloroethylene | Some people who use water containing 1,1-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Some people who use water containing cis-1,2-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Some people who drink water containing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
Dichloromethane | Some people who drink water containing dichloromethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
1,2-Dichloropropane | Some people who use water containing 1,2-dichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
1,3-Dichloropropene | Some people who use water containing 1,3-dichloropropene in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Ethylbenzene | Some people who use water containing ethylbenzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver or kidney problems. |
Methyl-tert-butyl ether | Some people who use water containing methyl-tert-butyl ether in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Monochlorobenzene | Some people who use water containing monochlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver or kidney problems. |
Styrene | Some people who drink water containing styrene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems. |
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane | Some people who drink water containing 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver or nervous system problems. |
Tetrachloroethylene | Some people who use water containing tetrachloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Some people who use water containing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience adrenal gland changes. |
1,1,1,-Trichloroethane | Some people who use water containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, nervous system, or circulatory system problems. |
1,1,2-Trichloroethane | Some people who use water containing 1,1,2- trichloroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, kidney, or immune system problems. |
Trichloroethylene (TCE) | Some people who use water containing trichloroethylene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Toluene | Some people who use water containing toluene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience nervous system, kidney, or liver problems. |
Trichlorofluoromethane | Some people who use water containing trichlorofluoromethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane | Some people who use water containing 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
Vinyl Chloride | Some people who use water containing vinyl chloride in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Xylenes | Some people who use water containing xylenes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience nervous system damage. |
Appendix 64465-F. Health Effects Language Synthetic Organic Contaminants
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
2,4-D | Some people who use water containing the weed killer 2,4-D in excess of the MCL over many years may experience kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems. |
2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | Some people who drink water containing Silvex in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
Alachlor | Some people who use water containing alachlor in excess of the MCL over many years may experience eye, liver, kidney, or spleen problems, or experience anemia, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Atrazine | Some people who use water containing atrazine in excess of the MCL over many years may experience cardiovascular system problems or reproductive difficulties. |
Bentazon | Some people who drink water containing bentazon in excess of the MCL over many years may experience prostate and gastrointestinal effects. |
Benzo(a)pyrene [PAH] | Some people who use water containing benzo(a)pyrene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Carbofuran | Some people who use water containing carbofuran in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their blood, or nervous or reproductive system problems. |
Chlordane | Some people who use water containing chlordane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver or nervous system problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Dalapon | Some people who drink water containing dalapon in excess of the MCL over many years may experience minor kidney changes. |
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) | Some people who use water containing DBCP in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate | Some people who drink water containing di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate in excess of the MCL over many years may experience weight loss, liver enlargement, or possible reproductive difficulties. |
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Some people who use water containing di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate well in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems or reproductive difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Dinoseb | Some people who drink water containing dinoseb in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties. |
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Some people who use water containing dioxin in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Diquat | Some people who drink water containing diquat in excess of the MCL over many years may get cataracts. |
Endothall | Some people who drink water containing endothall in excess of the MCL over many years may experience stomach or intestinal problems. |
Endrin | Some people who drink water containing endrin in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
Ethylene dibromide (EDB) | Some people who use water containing ethylene dibromide in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidney problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Glyphosate | Some people who drink water containing glyphosate in excess of the MCL over many years may experience kidney problems or reproductive difficulties. |
Heptachlor | Some people who use water containing heptachlor in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver damage and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Heptachlor epoxide | Some people who use water containing heptachlor epoxide in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver damage, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Hexachlorobenzene | Some people who drink water containing hexachlorobenzene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver or kidney problems, or adverse reproductive effects, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | Some people who use water containing hexachlorocyclopentadiene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience kidney or stomach problems. |
Lindane | Some people who drink water containing lindane in excess of the MCL over many years may experience kidney or liver problems. |
Methoxychlor | Some people who drink water containing methoxychlor in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive difficulties. |
Molinate (Ordram) | Some people who use water containing molinate in excess of the MCL over many years may experience reproductive effects. |
Oxamyl [Vydate] | Some people who drink water containing oxamyl in excess of the MCL over many years may experience slight nervous system effects. |
PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] | Some people who drink water containing PCBs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience changes in their skin, thymus gland problems, immune deficiencies, or reproductive or nervous system difficulties, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Pentachlorophenol | Some people who use water containing pentachlorophenol in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver or kidney problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Picloram | Some people who drink water containing picloram in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver problems. |
Simazine | Some people who use water containing simazine in excess of the MCL over many years may experience blood problems. |
Thiobencarb | Some people who use water containing thiobencarb in excess of the MCL over many years may experience body weight and blood effects. |
Toxaphene | Some people who use water containing toxaphene in excess of the MCL over many years may experience kidney, liver, or thyroid problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
1,2,3-Trichloropropane | Some people who drink water containing 1,2,3-trichloropropane in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Appendix 64465-G. Health Effects Language Disinfection Byproducts, Byproduct Precursors, and Disinfectant Residuals
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes] | Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience liver, kidney, or central nervous system problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Haloacetic Acids | Some people who drink water containing halocetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Bromate | Some people who drink water containing bromate in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Chloramines | Some people who use water containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chloramines well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort or anemia. |
Chlorine | Some people who use water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose. Some people who drink water containing chlorine well in excess of the MRDL could experience stomach discomfort. |
Chlorite | Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorite in excess of the MCL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorite in excess of the MCL. Some people may experience anemia. |
Chlorine dioxide (2 consecutive daily samples at the entry point to the distribution system that are greater than the MRDL) | Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may experience anemia. |
Add for public notification only: | |
The chlorine dioxide violations reported today are the result of exceedances at the treatment facility only, not within the distribution system that delivers water to consumers. | |
Continued compliance with chlorine dioxide levels within the distribution system minimizes the potential risk of these violations to consumers. | |
Chlorine dioxide (one or more distribution system samples are above the MRDL) | Some infants and young children who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL could experience nervous system effects. Similar effects may occur in fetuses of pregnant women who drink water containing chlorine dioxide in excess of the MRDL. Some people may experience anemia. |
Add for public notification only: | |
The chlorine dioxide violations reported today include exceedances of the State standard within the distribution system that delivers water to consumers. These violations may harm human health based on short-term exposures. Certain groups, including fetuses, infants, and young children, may be especially susceptible to nervous system effects from excessive chlorine dioxide exposure. | |
Control of DBP precursors (TOC) | Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, total organic carbon provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts. These byproducts include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Drinking water containing these byproducts in excess of the MCL may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Appendix 64465-H. Health Effects Language Other Treatment Techniques
Contaminant | Health Effects Language |
Acrylamide | Some people who drink water containing high levels of acrylamide over a long period of time may experience nervous system or blood problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Epichlorohydrin | Some people who drink water containing high levels of epichlorohydrin over a long period of time may experience stomach problems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. |
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 64465
Note: Authority cited: Sections 116271, 116350 and 116375, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 116450 and 116470, Health and Safety Code.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 116271, 116350 and 116375, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 116450, Health and Safety Code.
2. Amendment filed 9-8-94 as an emergency; operative 9-8-94 (Register 94, No. 36). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-6-95 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. Amendment refiled 1-3-95 as an emergency; operative 1-3-95 (Register 95, No. 1). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 5-3-95 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Amendment refiled 4-26-95 as an emergency; operative 4-26-95 (Register 95, No. 17). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 8-24-95 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
5. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-26-95 order including amendment of section transmitted to OAL 5-5-95 and filed 6-19-95 (Register 95, No. 25).
6. Amendment of section and Note filed 5-18-2006; operative 6-17-2006 (Register 2006, No. 20).
7. Repealer and new section filed 8-2-2006; operative 9-1-2006 (Register 2006, No. 31).
8. Amendment of Appendix 64465-D and amendment of Note filed 9-18-2007; operative 10-18-2007 (Register 2007, No. 38).
9. Change without regulatory effect amending Appendix 64465-E filed 4-21-2011 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2011, No. 16).
10. Amendment of section and Note filed 5-28-2014; operative 7/1/2014 (Register 2014, No. 22).
11. Change without regulatory effect amending Appendix 64465-D and Note filed 6-2-2015 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2015, No. 23).
12. Change without regulatory effect amending Appendix 64465-D filed 9-11-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 37).
13. Amendment of appendices 64465-B and 64465-F filed 12-14-2017; operative 12/14/2017 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2017, No. 50).
14. Amendment of subsection (a)(3), repealer and new Appendix 64465-A and amendment of Note filed 5-28-2021; operative 7/1/2021 (Register 2021, No. 22).
15. Amendment of Appendix 64465-D and NOTE filed 7-24-2024; operative 10/1/2024 (Register 2024, No. 30).