Water Quality: Sacramento, CA

Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.

Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste

EPA limit: 2 mg/L

Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.

Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply

EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)

Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.

Common source: Human and animal fecal waste

EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)

Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.

Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations

EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)

Linked to increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects with long-term exposure.

Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water

EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)

Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.

Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste

EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)

Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.

Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water

EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L

Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.

Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water

EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)