2014 CCR - BRMWC

Best Road Mutual Water Company
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2014 CCR

Consumer Confidence Report
2014 Consumer Confidence Report

Water System Name:  Best Road MWC              Report Date:  May 14, 2015
We test the drinking water quality for many constituents as required by state and federal regulations. This report shows
the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 - December 31, 2014 and may include earlier monitoring data.
Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo
entienda bien.

Type of water source(s) in use:  Groundwater

Name and general location of source(s):  Wells 1 and 2 are located on John Smith Road, approximately 1 mile from Fairview Rd.

Drinking Water Source Assessment information:  See attached; dated August 2002 (Well #1 & #2).

Time and place of regularly scheduled board meetings for public participation: 7pm,  the 3rd Tuesday at San Benito Land & Title Company, 260 Tres Pinos Road, Hollister, CA 95023.

For more information, contact: Garry Solmonson        Phone: (831).634.0144

TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.             

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 are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

Public Health Goal (PHG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. PHGs are set by the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal:  (MRDLG):
The level of a drinking water disinfectant ppt: parts per trillion or nanograms per liter (ng/L) below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use
of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Primary Drinking Water Standards (PDWS): MCLs and MRDLs for contaminants that affect health along with their monitoring and reporting requirements, and water treatment requirements.

Secondary Drinking Water Standards (SDWS): MCLs for contaminants that affect taste, odor, or appearance of the drinking water. Contaminants with SDWSs do not affect the health at the MCL levels.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant 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.

Variances and Exemptions: State Board permission to exceed an MCL or not comply with a treatment technique under certain conditions.

ND: not detectable at testing limit.

ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/L)

ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter (µg/L)

ppt: parts per trillion or nanograms per liter (ng/L)

ppq: parts per quadrillion or picogram per liter (pg/L)

pCi/L: picocuries per liter (a measure of radiation).

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides, that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants, that can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the USEPA and the State Water Resources Control Board (State
Board) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
State Board regulations also establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that provide the same protection for public
health.

Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 list all of the drinking water contaminants that were detected during the most recent sampling for the constituent. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water
poses a health risk. The State Board allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the
concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of the data, though representative of the water
quality, are more than one year old.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 1 – SAMPLING RESULTS SHOWING THE DETECTION OF COLIFORM BACTERIA
Microbiological Contaminants        Highest No.     No. of months in  
(complete if bacteria detected)    of Detections     violation                  MCL                MCLG          Typical Source of Bacteria
Total Coliform Bacteria               (In a mo.)           0                More than 1 sample in a     0                Naturally present in the
                                                   0                                    month with a detection                         environment

Fecal Coliform or E. coli              (In the year)        0                A routine sample and a      0                Human and animal fecal waste
                                                    0                                   routine sample detect                          
                                                                                         total coliform and either
                                                                                         sample also detects fecal
                                                                                         coliform or E. coli
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 2 – SAMPLING RESULTS SHOWING THE DETECTION OF LEAD AND COPPER
                                                                               90th
Lead and Copper                                                      percentile    No. sites
(complete if lead or copper           Sample        samples       level        exceeding
detected in the last sample set)     Date         collected    detected        AL              AL        PHG     Typical Source of Contaminant
Lead (ppb)                                   2013             5               <4              0                15          0.2    Internal corrosion of household
water plumbing systems;        discharge from industrial manufacturers; erosion of natural deposits

Copper (ppm)                                 2013            5               0.39             0                1.3        0.3    Internal corrosion of household
                                                                                                                                               plumbing systems; erosion of
                                                                                                                                               natural deposits; leaching from
                                                                                                                                               wood preservatives
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 3 – SAMPLING RESULTS FOR SODIUM AND HARDNESS
Chemical or Constituent           Sample            Level              Range of                           PHG
(and reporting units)                Date           Detected         Detection         MCL        (MCLG)    Typical Source of Contaminant
Sodium (ppm)                       7/8/2014            280               270-290           none          none      Salt present in the water and is
                                                                                                                                           generally naturally occurring
Hardness (ppm)                    7/8/2014            259.5             247-272           none          none      Sum of polyvalent cations present
In the water, generally magnesium and calcium, and are usually naturally occurring

*Any violation of an MCL or AL is asterisked. Additional information regarding the violation is provided later in this report.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 4 – DETECTION OF CONTAMINANTS WITH A PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARD

                                                                                                                              PHG
Chemical or Constituent               Sample         Level           Range of            MCL         (MCLG)
(and reporting units)                  Date        Detected     Detections        (MRDL)    [MRDLG]    Typical Source of Contaminant
Aluminum                                 7/8/2014        0.155       <0.05-0.310            1             0.6           Erosion of natural deposits;
                                                                                                                                              residue from some surface water
                                                                                                                                              treatment process.
Arsenic,  (ppb)                        12/9/2014        7.60            <2-24                  10           0.004        Erosion of natural deposits;
                                                                                                                                              runoff from orchards; glass and
                                                                                                                                              electronics production wastes.
Chromium (ppb)                       7/8/2014          6.5             <10-13                50           (100)        Discharge from steel and pulp
                                                                                                                                              mills and chrome plating
                                                                                                                                              erosion of natural deposits
Copper (ppm)                           7/8/2014        0.036       <0.050-0.071       (AL=1.3)       0.3          Internal corrosion of household
                                                                                                                                              plumbing systems; erosion of
                                                                                                                                              natural deposits;
                                                                                                                                              from wood preservatives
Fluoride (ppm)                           7/8/2014         0.41         0.40-0.42              2.0             1           Erosion of natural deposits;
                                                                                                                                              water additive which promotes
                                                                                                                                              strong teeth; discharge from
                                                                                                                                             fertilizer and aluminum factories.
Hexavalent Chromium                8/13/2014       8.45            4.8-11                10            0.02         Discharge from electroplating
VI (ppb)                                                                                                                                    factories, leather tanneries,
                                                                                                                                              wood preservation, chemical
                                                                                                                                              synthesis, refractory production,
                                                                                                                                              and textile manufacturing
                                                                                                                                              facilities; erosion of natural
                                                                                                                                              deposits.
Nitrate (as NO3) (ppm)              7/8/2014          6.33            <2.0-13.3             45          45           Runoff and leaching from
                                                                                                                                              fertilizer use; leaching from
                                                                                                                                              septic tanks and sewage;
                                                                                                                                              erosion of natural deposit.
Selenium (ppb)                          7/8/2014         4.5              <5.0-9.0               50          30           Discharge from petroleum,
                                                                                                                                              glass, and metal refineries;
                                                                                                                                              erosion of natural deposits;
                                                                                                                                              discharge from mines and
                                                                                                                                              chemical manufacturers; runoff
                                                                                                                                               from livestock lots (feed
                                                                                                                                               additive).
Gross Alpha Particle                   9/5/2014         2.65            2.59-2.70               15             (0)        Erosion of natural deposits
Activity (pCi/L)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 5 – DETECTION OF CONTAMINANTS WITH A SECONDARY DRINKING WATER STANDARD

Chemical or Constituent                Sample         Level           Range of                               PHG
(and reporting units)                  Date        Detected      Detections           MCL        (MCLG)    Typical Source of Contaminant
Turbidity (Units)                         7/8/2014         2.5           <0.10-5.0                 5         None         Soil runoff
Chloride (ppm)                           7/8/2014         275            270-280                500       None         Runoff/leaching from natural
                                                                                                                                              deposits; seawater influence
Iron, sources (ppb)                10/6/2014    702.22*    <100-4,300       300         None         Leaching from natural deposits;
                                                                                                                                              industrial wastes
Manganese  (ppb)                    10/6/2014         15.33          <20-65                 50          None         Leaching from natural deposits  
Sulfate (ppm)                           7/8/2014            160           150-170               500         None         Runoff/leaching from natural
                                                                                                                                               deposits; industrial wastes
Total Dissolved Solids            7/8/2014      1,100*    1,100-1,100        1000       None            Runoff/leaching from natural
(TDS), (ppm)                                                                                                                           deposits
Zinc (ppm)                                7/8/2014        0.340       <0.050-0.680           5.0         None           Runoff/leaching from natural
                                                                                                                                                deposits; industrial wastes

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 6 – DETECTION OF UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS
Chemical or Constituent                 Sample          Level           Range of        
(and reporting units)                             Date          Detected       Detections          Notification Level         Health Effects Language

*Any violation of an MCL, MRDL, or TT is asterisked. Additional information regarding the violation is provided later in this report.

Additional General Information on Drinking Water
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 (1-800-426-4791).

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 organtransplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at riskfrom infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. USEPA/Centersfor Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Lead-Specific Language for Community Water Systems:  If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. (INSERT NAME OF UTILITY) is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. 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. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Summary Information for Violation of a MCL, MRDL, AL, TT,
      or Monitoring and Reporting Requirement
VIOLATION OF A MCL, MRDL, AL, TT, OR MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENT

                                                                                                     Actions Taken to Correct                  Health Effects
Violation                     Explanation                      Duration                         the violations                            Language           
*Iron                         Quarterly well                 Since 1995                      Greensand filter                              None
                               monitoring                                                                                                                                                 
*Total Dissolved     High levels in July,             July 2014                        Not available                                  None
     Solids                      2014         
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Water Systems Providing Ground Water as a Source of Drinking Water


Table 7 – Sampling Results Showing
Fecal Indicator-Positive Ground Water Source Samples

Microbiological Contaminants          Total No. of          Sample             MCL            PHG
(complete if fecal-indicator detected)    Detections           Dates             (MRDL)      (MCLG)   Typical Source of Contaminant
                                                                                                                                 (MRDLG)
  E. Coli                                            (In the year)                                 0               (0)              Human and animal fecal waste

  Enterococci                                        (In the year)                               TT               n/a             Human and animal fecal waste

  Coliphage                                            (In the year)                                TT              n/a           Human and animal fecal waste
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary Information for Fecal Indicator-Positive Ground Water Source Samples,
Uncorrected Significant Deficiencies, or Ground Water TT

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL NOTICE OF FECAL INDICATOR-POSITIVE GROUND WATER SOURCE SAMPLE


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR UNCORRECTED SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
VIOLATION OF GROUND WATER TT

TT Violation                     Explanation                         Duration                   Actions Taken to Correct             Health Effects
                                                                                                                                   The violation                          Language


For Systems Providing Surface Water as a Source of Drinking Water
__________________________________________________________________________________

TABLE 8 - SAMPLING RESULTS SHOWING TREATMENT OF SURFACE WATER SOURCES


Treatment Technique (a)
(Type of approved filtration technology used)                                        Turbidity of the filtered water must:
Turbidity Performance Standards (b)                                                    1 – Be less than or equal to _____ NTU in 95% of measurements in a month.
(that must be met through the water treatment process)                        2 – Not exceed _____ NTU for more than eight consecutive hours.
                                                                                                      3 – Not exceed ____ NTU at any time.
Lowest monthly percentage of samples that met Turbidity
Performance Standard No. 1.

Highest single turbidity measurement during the year
Number of violations of any surface water treatment
requirements

(a) A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
(b) Turbidity (measured in NTU) is a measurement of the cloudiness of water and is a good indicator of water quality and filtration performance.
    Turbidity results which meet performance standards are considered to be in compliance with filtration requirements.
* Any violation of a TT is marked with an asterisk. Additional information regarding the violation is provided below.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary Information for Violation of a Surface Water TT
VIOLATION OF A SURFACE WATER TT

TT Violation    Explanation    Duration     Actions Taken to Correct         Health Effects
                                                                 the Violation                         Language


Summary Information for Operating Under a Variance or Exemption

Drinking Water Source Assessment

Water System
BEST ROAD MWC
San Benito County

Water Source
WELL 01

Assessment Date
August, 2002


Assessment Completed By
CDPH Monterey District


__________________________________________________________________

California Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Field Operations Branch
CDPH Monterey District


District No.    05
System  No.    3500823
Source No.     002
 PS Code      3500823-002

Vulnerability Summary

District Name:   CDPH Monterey District          District  No. 05        County: San Benito
System Name:   BEST ROAD MWC          System No: 3500823    
Source Name: WELL 01                                            Source No:     002                     PS CODE:      3500823-002
Completed by:     CDPH Monterey District         Date: August, 2002

According to CDPH records, this Source is Groundwater. This Assessment was done using the Default Groundwater System Method.

A source water assessment was conducted for the WELL 01 of the BEST ROAD MWC water system in August, 2002

The source is considered most vulnerable to the following activities associated with contaminants detected in the water supply:
Septic systems - low density [<1/acre]
The source is considered most vulnerable to the following activities not associated with any detected contaminants:
Crops, nonirrigated [e.g., Christmas trees, grains, grass seeds, hay,
Transportation corridors - Roads/Streets
Storm Water Detention Facilities

Discussion of Vulnerability
Well 01 is considered most vulnerable to low density septic systems. This activity is associated with the contaminant nitrate, which has been detected in the water supply. The well is also considered vulnerable to the following activity not associated with any detected contaminants: storm water detention facilities.

Although outside of the 10 year zone of influence, there is a landfill located approximately 1 mile from the wells. This landfill could have long term effects on water quality in the area.

A copy of the complete assessment may be viewed at:
Best Road MWC
P.O. Box 395
Hollister, CA 95024

You may request a summary of the assessment be sent to you by contacting:
Gary Solmonson
President
(831) 634-0144
garwsol@hotmail.com


Vulnerability Ranking

District Name:   CDPH Monterey District          District  No. 05        County: San Benito
System Name:   BEST ROAD MWC          System No: 3500823    
Source Name:    WELL 01                                            Source No:     002                     PS CODE:      3500823-002
Completed by:   CDPH Monterey District         Date: August, 2002

The following PCAs were identified in the assessment and are listed in priority order based on risk to the water supply. Refer to the last page for more information.
                                                                                                                       PCA Risk     Zone        PBE       Vulnerability
Zone       PCA (Risk Ranking)                                                                       *      Points         Points       Points    Score
B5           Septic systems-low density [<1/acre] (H in Zone A, otherwise L)        *         1                 3               3           7
B10         Septic systems-low density [<1/acre] (H in Zone A, otherwise L)        *         1                 1               3           5
A             Crops, nonirrigated [e.g., Christmas trees, grains, grass seeds, hay,              1                 5               3           9
             pasture] [includes drip-irrigated crops] (L)
A             Transportation corridors - Roads/Streets (L)                                                1                 5               3           9
B5           Storm Water Detention Facilities (M)                                                          3                 3               3           9



Explanation of Source Water Assessments and Definition of Terms

A source water assessment was recently completed for this drinking water source. The assessment identifies the vulnerability of the drinking water supply to contamination from typical human activities. The assessments are intended to facilitate and provide the basic information necessary for a local community to develop a program to protect the drinking water supply.

A summary of the complete assessment is provided here. For more information, contact the agency or individual that prepared the assessment (shown in summary). You may also contact the local Department of Public Health Drinking Water Field Operations Branch district office (http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Documents/DDWEM/OriginalDistrictMapCDPH.pdf).
Additional information about assessments can be found at: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/DWSAP.aspx

Terms used in this summary:
Source Water Assessment: An assessment is an evaluation of a drinking water source to determine the "possible contaminating activities" (PCAs) to which the source is most vulnerable. The assessment includes: a delineation of protection zones around the source; an inventory of the types of PCAs within the source protection zones; and an analysis to determine the PCAs to which the source is most vulnerable. The information is compiled into a report that includes a map, calculations, checklists, and a summary of the findings.

Possible Contaminating Activity (PCA): A PCA is a current or historic human activity that is an actual or potential origin of contamination for a drinking water source. PCAs include activities that use, store, produce or dispose of chemicals that have the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies. There are 110 types of PCAs in the California DWSAP program.

PCA Risk Ranking: Each type of PCA is assigned a risk ranking (Very High, High, Moderate, or Low). The risk ranking is based on the contaminant(s) typically associated with that PCA, the likelihood of release from that type of facility based on historical experience, and the mobility of the contaminant(s).

PCA Inventory: The PCA inventory is a review using local knowledge, databases, and on-site evaluations to identify the occurrence and approximate location of PCAs in the source water zones. The inventory for the basic DWSAP assessments is a presence-absence review. If a type of PCA occurs in a zone, a "Yes" is noted in the inventory for that zone, regardless of whether there is one or many of that type of facility within the zone. If a PCA has been associated with a contaminant detected in the water supply, a notation is made in the PCA inventory.

Source Water Zones or Areas: These are areas located around and typically adjacent to a drinking water source that have been identified as initial protection areas.
          For groundwater sources, there are typically three concentric circular zones around a source (Zones A, B5 and B10). The sizes of the are determined based on characteristics of the source. PCAs located in the inner Zone A are considered more of a risk to the water supply than PCAs located in the middle Zone B5. Similarly, PCAs located in Zone B5 are considered more of a risk than PCAs located in the outer Zone B10.
          For surface water sources, the watershed is defined as the overall protection area, and as an option, zones are defined closer to the source. Two types of zones are typically established. Zone A is the area within and near the surface water body and its tributaries. Zone B is an area within 2,500 feet of the intake, not including areas in Zone A. For surface water sources, PCAs located in Zone A are considered a greater threat than PCAs located in Zone B. PCAs located on the watershed outside of the zones are considered to be of less risk to the water supply. If zones have not been defined, PCAs are considered to be of equal risk regardless of location on the watershed.

Physical Barrier Effectiveness (PBE): The PBE for a source is an evaluation of the ability of the source and the surrounding area to prevent the movement of contaminants into the source. The PBE is based on the construction and operation features of the source, and the characteristics of the surrounding area. A source is assigned a PBE of Low, Moderate or High, where High indicates that the physical barriers of the source and site are very effective in preventing the movement of contaminants. By design, typical groundwater sources will have Moderate PBE, while typical surface water sources will have Low PBE. This is due to the greater exposure of surface water sources to contamination.

Vulnerability Ranking: The vulnerability ranking is a summary of the PCAs identified in the assessment prioritized by the risk that they pose to the water supply. The prioritization is based on the risk associated with a PCA, the zone in which it occurs, and the PBE of the source. In the vulnerability ranking, points are assigned as follows:

PCA risk ranking                                  Very High = 7       High = 5       Moderate = 3       Low = 1       Unknown in any zone = 0
Zone (Groundwater)                            A =5                    B5 = 3          B10 = 1               
Zone (Surface water with zones)           A = 5                   B = 3            Watershed = 1     
Zone (Surface water without zones)      Watershed = 5      
Physical Barrier Effectiveness                Low = 5               Moderate = 3 High = 1

The points for each type of PCA in each zone are totaled to give a vulnerability score, and the PCAs are ranked in order from the highest score to the lowest score. PCAs associated with detected contaminants are ranked at the top, regardless of vulnerability score. By definition, groundwater sources are not considered vulnerable to PCAs with scores less than 8, and surface water sources are not considered vulnerable to PCAs with scores less than 11. It should be noted that the vulnerability ranking scores do not have a direct quantitative value. Rather, the points are used only to relatively rank the types of PCAs for an individual source.
      Note: Some of the summaries do not include a vulnerability ranking. If the assessment was done on paper and the details were not entered into the database, the vulnerability ranking is not available here. In addition, alternate methods of determining vulnerability were allowed in some cases, and the vulnerability ranking is not in the database.

Vulnerability Summary: The source is considered most vulnerable to the PCAs with the highest score, and to PCAs associated with detected contaminants. These PCAs are noted in the vulnerability summary. Further details or discussion may be provided in the vulnerability discussion.


Drinking Water Source Assessment

Water System
BEST ROAD MWC
San Benito County

Water Source
WELL 02


Assessment Date
August, 2002


Assessment Completed By
CDPH Monterey District


__________________________________________________________________

California Department of Public Health
Drinking Water Field Operations Branch
CDPH Monterey District


District No.    05
System No.     3500823
Source No.     003
 PS Code      3500823-003

Vulnerability Summary

District Name:    CDPH Monterey District             District No: 05                          County: San Benito
System Name:    BEST ROAD MWC          System No: 3500823    
Source Name:     WELL 02                                 Source No: 003                                   PS CODE: 3500823-003

Completed by:   CDPH Monterey District                            Date: August, 2002

According to CDPH records, this Source is Groundwater. This Assessment was done using the Default Groundwater System Method.

A source water assessment was conducted for the WELL 02 of the BEST ROAD MWC water system in August, 2002
.
The source is considered most vulnerable to the following activities not associated with any detected contaminants:
Storm Water Detention Facilities





Discussion of Vulnerability
Although outside of the 10 year zone of influence, there is a landfill located 1 mile from the wells. This landfill could have long term effects on water quality in the area.

A copy of the complete assessment may be viewed at:
Best Road MWC
P.O. Box 395
Hollister, CA 95024

You may request a summary of the assessment be sent to you by contacting:
Gary Solmonson
President
(831) 634-0144
garwsol@hotmail.com


Vulnerability Ranking
                                                                                                                       PCA Risk     Zone        PBE       Vulnerability
Zone       PCA (Risk Ranking)                                                                        *      Points         Points       Points    Score
 A            Storm Water Detention Facilities (M)                                                        3                5              3           11
 A            Crops, nonirrigated [e.g., Christmas trees, grains, grass seeds, hay,            1                5               3           9
               pasture] [includes drip-irrigated crops] (L)
 A            Transportation corridors-Roads/Streets (L)                                                1                5               3           9



Explanation of Source Water Assessments and Definition of Terms
A source water assessment was recently completed for this drinking water source. The assessment identifies the vulnerability of the drinking water supply to contamination from typical human activities. The assessments are intended to facilitate and provide the basic information necessary for a local community to develop a program to protect the drinking water supply.

A summary of the complete assessment is provided here. For more information, contact the agency or individual that prepared the assessment (shown in summary). You may also contact the local Department of Public Health Drinking Water Field Operations Branch district office (http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Documents/DDWEM/OriginalDistrictMapCDPH.pdf).
Additional information about assessments can be found at: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/DWSAP.aspx

Terms used in this summary:
Source Water Assessment: An assessment is an evaluation of a drinking water source to determine the "possible contaminating activities" (PCAs) to which the source is most vulnerable. The assessment includes: a delineation of protection zones around the source; an inventory of the types of PCAs within the source protection zones; and an analysis to determine the PCAs to which the source is most vulnerable. The information is compiled into a report that includes a map, calculations, checklists, and a summary of the findings.

Possible Contaminating Activity (PCA): A PCA is a current or historic human activity that is an actual or potential origin of contamination for a drinking water source. PCAs include activities that use, store, produce or dispose of chemicals that have the potential to contaminate drinking water supplies. There are 110 types of PCAs in the California DWSAP program.

PCA Risk Ranking: Each type of PCA is assigned a risk ranking (Very High, High, Moderate, or Low). The risk ranking is based on the contaminant(s) typically associated with that PCA, the likelihood of release from that type of facility based on historical experience, and the mobility of the contaminant(s).

PCA Inventory: The PCA inventory is a review using local knowledge, databases, and on-site evaluations to identify the occurrence and approximate location of PCAs in the source water zones. The inventory for the basic DWSAP assessments is a presence-absence review. If a type of PCA occurs in a zone, a "Yes" is noted in the inventory for that zone, regardless of whether there is one or many of that type of facility within the zone. If a PCA has been associated with a contaminant detected in the water supply, a notation is made in the PCA inventory.

Source Water Zones or Areas: These are areas located around and typically adjacent to a drinking water source that have been identified as initial protection areas.
          For groundwater sources, there are typically three concentric circular zones around a source (Zones A, B5 and B10). The sizes of the are determined based on characteristics of the source. PCAs located in the inner Zone A are considered more of a risk to the water supply than PCAs located in the middle Zone B5. Similarly, PCAs located in Zone B5 are considered more of a risk than PCAs located in the outer Zone B10.
          For surface water sources, the watershed is defined as the overall protection area, and as an option, zones are defined closer to the source. Two types of zones are typically established. Zone A is the area within and near the surface water body and its tributaries. Zone B is an area within 2,500 feet of the intake, not including areas in Zone A. For surface water sources, PCAs located in Zone A are considered a greater threat than PCAs located in Zone B. PCAs located on the watershed outside of the zones are considered to be of less risk to the water supply. If zones have not been defined, PCAs are considered to be of equal risk regardless of location on the watershed.

Physical Barrier Effectiveness (PBE): The PBE for a source is an evaluation of the ability of the source and the surrounding area to prevent the movement of contaminants into the source. The PBE is based on the construction and operation features of the source, and the characteristics of the surrounding area. A source is assigned a PBE of Low, Moderate or High, where High indicates that the physical barriers of the source and site are very effective in preventing the movement of contaminants. By design, typical groundwater sources will have Moderate PBE, while typical surface water sources will have Low PBE. This is due to the greater exposure of surface water sources to contamination.

Vulnerability Ranking: The vulnerability ranking is a summary of the PCAs identified in the assessment prioritized by the risk that they pose to the water supply. The prioritization is based on the risk associated with a PCA, the zone in which it occurs, and the PBE of the source. In the vulnerability ranking, points are assigned as follows:

PCA risk ranking                                  Very High = 7       High = 5       Moderate = 3       Low = 1       Unknown in any zone = 0
Zone (Groundwater)                            A =5                    B5 = 3          B10 = 1               
Zone (Surface water with zones)           A = 5                   B = 3            Watershed = 1     
Zone (Surface water without zones)      Watershed = 5      
Physical Barrier Effectiveness                Low = 5               Moderate = 3 High = 1

The points for each type of PCA in each zone are totaled to give a vulnerability score, and the PCAs are ranked in order from the highest score to the lowest score. PCAs associated with detected contaminants are ranked at the top, regardless of vulnerability score. By definition, groundwater sources are not considered vulnerable to PCAs with scores less than 8, and surface water sources are not considered vulnerable to PCAs with scores less than 11. It should be noted that the vulnerability ranking scores do not have a direct quantitative value. Rather, the points are used only to relatively rank the types of PCAs for an individual source.
      Note: Some of the summaries do not include a vulnerability ranking. If the assessment was done on paper and the details were not entered into the database, the vulnerability ranking is not available here. In addition, alternate methods of determining vulnerability were allowed in some cases, and the vulnerability ranking is not in the database.

Vulnerability Summary: The source is considered most vulnerable to the PCAs with the highest score, and to PCAs associated with detected contaminants. These PCAs are noted in the vulnerability summary. Further details or discussion may be provided in the vulnerability discussion.
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