How can I get involved?

If you would like to know more about your Drinking Water Systems you can contact Charles Abel at 619.659.2326. Additionally, a monthly update is provided to the community during the regular General Council Meetings.

Monitoring and Reporting of Compliance Data Violations

This particular report is being generated to satisfy reporting requirements for the year of 2022. This one year compilation report is prepared and distributed to satisfy the requirements for Public Water Systems.

Why are there contaminants in my drinking water?

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.  More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Do I need to take special precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The USEPA/Center for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Conservation Tips

Did you know that the average U.S. household uses approximately 350 gallons of water per day? Luckily, there are many low-cost or no-cost ways to conserve water. Water your lawn at the least sunny times of the day. Fix toilet and faucet leaks. Take short showers – a 5-minute shower uses 4 to 5 gallons of water compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath. Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth and shaving: 3-5 gallons go down the drain per minute. Teach your kids about water conservation to ensure a future generation that uses water wisely.

Recycled Water on Viejas

The Viejas Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a state-of-the-art facility utilizing immersed ultra filtration membranes. This facility complies with the stringent California Department of Health Services guidelines and Title 22 and 23 of California Code and Regulations. Recycled water is not used for drinking and is stored in dedicated reservoirs and delivered through a separate underground pipeline distribution system. It is used for landscape, irrigation, and other commercial purposes.

Is my water safe?

Last year, except for concentrations of uranium, which is a naturally occurring contaminant, your tap water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water health standards. The uranium violation was dealt with and brought into compliance with the EPA. Viejas Water Department vigilantly safeguards its water supplies and we are proud to report that our system is once again in compliance with all maximum contaminant levels and any other water quality standards.

Where does my water come from?

Water for the Viejas Community originates from eight groundwater sources known as Well 1, Well 1A, Well 2A, Well 2B, Well 5A, Well 6, Well 8, and Well 10. Note that there are other wells on the reservation, but these are not connected to this system.

Where does groundwater come from?

Groundwater comes from rain, snow, sleet, and hail that soak into the ground. The water moves down into the ground because of gravity, passing between particles of soil, sand, gravel, or rock until it reaches a depth where the ground is filled, or saturated, with water.

Microbiological Water Quality:

Testing for bacteriological contaminants in the distribution system is required by Federal regulations. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other potentially harmful bacteria may be present. This testing is done regularly to verify that the water system is free from coliform bacteria. The minimum number of tests required per month for Viejas is ten. Positive test results could lead to follow-up investigating called assessments and potentially the issuance of public health advisories. Assessments could lead to required corrective actions. The information below summarizes the results of those tests.

Lead & Copper Testing Results:

Lead & copper testing of water from individual taps in the distribution system is required by Federal EPA regulations. The table below summarizes the most recent sampling for lead and copper.

Educational Information About Lead Contamination:

“If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  The source of lead in drinking water is primarily from materials associated with your faucets, home plumbing, and service line. The Viejas Public Works Department is responsible for the water quality, but can not control the variety of materials used in home plumbing and faucets.  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 are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested.  Additional information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.”

Detected Contaminants in our water:

The following table gives a list of all detected chemicals in our water during the most recent sampling. Please note that not all sampling is required annually so in some cases our results are more than one year old. 

Special Education Statements – Additional Information for Nitrate

Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age.  High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome.  Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity.  If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

Definitions:

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 allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.
Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
ND: Not Detected
N/A: Not applicable
pCi/L: picocuries per liter (a measure of radiation)
ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter, also ug/L
ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter, also mg/L
DCM: Dichloromethane
TTHM: Total Trihalomethanes – Disinfection By-Product
HAA5: Total Halocetic Acids – Disinfection By-Product

Notes: Average concentration calculated using individual results form required compliance sampling events.