Water Quality

2022 Consumer Confidence Report

Rancho California Water District (Rancho Water/District) is committed to providing you with a clean, safe, and reliable water supply. It’s the top priority of every employee of the District, and we’re proud to say that those efforts make a difference. Based on the water quality monitoring data collected in 2022, the District’s tap water met and exceeded all state and federal drinking water standards. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water mandate all water agencies to produce an annual document informing customers about their drinking water supply for the previous year. This annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) contains information about Rancho Water’s water supply and how it meets regulatory drinking water standards. 

Proactively Addressing PFAS to Safeguard Public Health 

Rancho California Water District’s (Rancho Water/District) primary purpose is to provide a reliable water supply while protecting public health and safety. Through forward-thinking water system investments, strategic planning, and sound water resource management, we proudly meet the water quality requirements set by the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On August 17, 2023, the EPA released a list of water districts known to have PFAS in their systems. PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) comprise a group of chemicals often referred to as "forever chemicals." These substances possess the unique property of being resistant to fire, water, and oil. As a result, they are present in a wide range of consumer products, including but not limited to cookware, clothing, cleaning products, shampoo, and firefighting foam. Due to their exceptional durability, PFAS have a tendency to resist breaking down in the environment, causing them to seep into water and soil, potentially posing a risk to public health.

In line with our commitment to public health, we test our water over 2,000 times per year to ensure that the District meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards. This year, three out of our forty-three groundwater wells tested positive for low concentrations of PFAS. Out of an abundance of caution, Rancho Water promptly took these wells out of service and we are currently exploring treatment options to ensure these wells can be safely restored to production. These three wells represent a minimal portion of our overall water supplies. The District is presently engaged in the design phase of state-of-the-art filtration equipment. This technology aims to effectively remove PFAS from drinking water, thereby upholding our steadfast dedication to maintaining the highest water quality standards.

While PFAS often enters the environment through industrial activities, it is essential to note that the Temecula/Murrieta area has historically not had heavy industry and rather is largely residential, small commercial, and agricultural, making Rancho Water’s service area less susceptible to PFAS contamination. 

“At Rancho Water, our commitment to providing high-quality, safe drinking water is unwavering,” said General Manager Robert Grantham. “We remain resolute in our role of safeguarding public health and safety. Rancho Water is grateful to our State and Federal partners for their continued support and financial assistance as the industry addresses this global issue.”

For detailed insights into the District’s water quality and most recent testing results, you can find comprehensive information in our latest Consumer Confidence Report: RanchoWater.com/CCR

To find more information on PFAS, please visit the following link: RanchoWater.com/349/PFOA-PFOS-in-Drinking-Water

 

Rancho California Water District Water Quality

Rancho California Water District’s water comes from a variety of natural sources. Our natural sources include precipitation, untreated import water recharge basins, and regional groundwater (aquifers). Rancho Water also purchases treated water from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. This agency imports water from Northern California and the Colorado River.

Water Demands

Vail DamThe Rancho Water-managed groundwater basins are estimated to hold over 2 million acre-feet of water. The annual safe yield of these basins is approximately 30,000 acre-feet per year, which meets nearly half of the District's needs. An acre-foot equals about 326,000 gallons, or enough water to cover an acre of land about the size of a football field, one foot deep. An average California household uses between one-half and one acre-foot of water per year for indoor and outdoor use. Surface water from Vail Lake and Lake Skinner is used to help replenish our groundwater supplies through recharge operations.

All aquifers managed by Rancho Water are located in the Santa Margarita Watershed. Oversight of all groundwater production within the Santa Margarita Watershed falls under the continuing jurisdiction of the United States District Court, San Diego and is administered under the auspices of a court-appointed water master (the "Santa Margarita Water Master"). Most of the remaining water demands are met with imported water purchased from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Ensuring Quality

To ensure the highest quality of water is supplied to our customers, the District's water quality staff collects routine samples at several locations throughout the service area. While taking samples, staff monitors chlorine, temperature, pH, and other physical characteristics of the water to verify proper levels. These samples are taken to a laboratory and analyzed for water quality compliance and routine monitoring requirements.

Water Quality Report

Ground water supplies come from production wells located throughout Rancho Water's service area. These wells require routine sampling independent from the distribution system requirements. Strict sampling techniques are utilized to meet compliance and laboratory requirements. Much of California’s water is stored as snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. All results are published annually in the Water Quality Report. 

The annual Water Quality Reports below offer more detailed information about the quality of your drinking water. If you would like the hard copy of the most recent report mailed to you or an electronic copy of an older report, please send us an email.