California's Investor-Owned Water Utilities Deliver High-Quality Water, Reports Find
July 07 2015 - 7:49PM
Business Wire
Annual Water Quality Reports, now available to water utility
customers online, demonstrate that once again California's
investor-owned water utilities (IOUs) delivered high-quality water
to customers during the past year. These reports compare drinking
water quality to state and federal standards and are required
annually of all water providers--both investor-owned and municipal
alike.
"Investor-owned water utilities are proud of their ongoing track
record of meeting or surpassing state and federal water quality
standards, while continuing to deliver a reliable supply of water
at a reasonable cost," said Jack Hawks, executive director of the
California Water Agency, which represents IOUs throughout
California. "Water quality reports continue to show their ongoing
commitment to customers and the communities they serve."
The California State Water Resources Control Board and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are charged with developing
and enforcing state and federal drinking water standards, which are
the same for both investor-owned and municipal water providers.
The water IOUs’ state-certified water quality staff tests water
for 200-plus contaminants on a daily, weekly, monthly and/or annual
basis. With technological advances, contaminants can now be
detected down to the microscopic levels.
California's severe drought is adding new challenges to
maintaining high-quality drinking water as many water providers
switch to alternate supplies. In response, many water IOUs are
testing supplies even more frequently and boosting disinfection
where needed.
“Water IOUs take the quality of the water they deliver very
seriously," Hawks said. "When it comes to complying with strict
regulations for delivering clean, quality drinking water, they've
consistently led the entire water industry in drinking water
compliance."
According to a 2011 report by Water Intelligence Magazine,
which analyzed U.S. EPA data on serious SDWA violators, water IOUs
have an excellent record on compliance with the federal Safe
Drinking Water Act. Several have been recognized for their
exemplary water-quality compliance record. San Jose Water Company
(SJWC), for example, was honored by the Partnership for Safe Water
for SJWC’s commitment and execution of programs that improve the
quality and safety of water delivered to customers.
Water quality reports are available online. Links to the reports
for California's largest IOWC's (those serving more than 10,000
service connections) can be found below:
Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company
California American Water
California Water Service Company
Golden State Water Company
Park Water Company
San Gabriel Valley Water Company
San Jose Water Company
Suburban Water Systems
About the California Water Association:
The California Water Association (CWA) represents the interests
of approximately 113 investor-owned public utilities that are
regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. These
water companies strive to provide high-quality water utility
services to customers throughout California. CWA provides a forum
for sharing best management practices; a means of promoting sound
water policy by legislators and regulatory agencies; and
opportunities for educating the public on the protection and
efficient use of water resources.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150707006617/en/
California Water AssociationJack Hawks, 415-561-9650
(o)415-305-4393 (c)jhawks@calwaterassn.com