Santa Ana Water Quality Report

WHERE DOES SANTA ANA CITY WATER COME FROM?

SANTA ANA’S water supply is a blend of local native surface water and imported Metropolitan Water District (MWD) water impounded within Santiago Reservoir. Additionally, groundwater is pumped from the local aquifer managed by OCWD that stretches from the Prado Dam and fans across the northwestern portion of Orange County, excluding the communities of Brea and La Habra, and stretching as far south as El Toro.

ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN SANTA ANA’S CITY WATER?

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

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production or mining activities.

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining and farming.

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gasoline stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural application, and septic systems

SHOULD I DRINK AND BATHE WITH SANTA ANA’S CITY WATER STRAIGHT FROM MY FAUCET?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised people, such as those with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have had organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly persons and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

The USEPA and the federal Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from USEPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time (7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in California)- source: 2017 Anaheim Water consumer confidence report.

http://santaanaccr.org/PDF/2017_Water_Quality_Table_Web.pdf

Click here to find out the water quality of other cities in Southern California

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA

The Santa Ana area was explored in 1769 by a Spanish expedition led by Gaspár de Portolá. The first people who came to the area named the newly founded settlement Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana in honor of Saint Anne.

It quickly became apparent that the ground was fertile for crops and cattle grazing. The city grew to become a farming community that fed the area. Many of the original settlers used the area for crops while a small portion raised cattle.

As more people came to the area in the early 1860s, it was determined that there would need to be a plan for the city’s layout. The community was officially laid out in 1869, and the plans for the city’s development went into effect.

Following the implementation of the plan, the city was renamed, Santa Ana. With major growth in new arrivals to the area, local industries continued to grow as well. Santa Ana was chosen to be the seat of Orange County.

Santa Ana quickly became a center for commercial, financial, and manufacturing businesses that today produce numerous electronic parts, sporting goods, and aerospace equipment. The city has become a major hub for much of the economic activity in southern California.