Show All Answers

1. Where does my drinking water come from?

NBRID is a community surface water system sourced from Putah Creek. Raw water from the creek is treated and disinfected at the water treatment plant, and then pumped into the distribution system where it flows to your tap.

2. How is my drinking water regulated?

The District’s water system is regulated by the State of California Division of Drinking Water and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In order to operate, the NBRID system must adhere to the conditions outlined in the permit to operate issued by the state.

3. How do germs and chemicals get into my drinking water?

There can be many sources of contamination of water systems. The most common sources of contaminants include:

• Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (e.g., arsenic, radon, uranium)
• Local land use practices (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, livestock, concentrated animal feeding operations)
• Manufacturing processes
• Sewer overflows
• Malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems (e.g., nearby septic systems)

EPA and the State regulates many contaminants that pose known human health risks. Testing of both raw source water and treated drinking water determines if any contaminants are present and to what extent the water system must treat water to ensure those contaminants are removed after treatment.

4. How do I filter water at my home if I am concerned about water quality?

Different water filters have different functions. Some can make your water taste better, while others can remove harmful chemicals or germs. Visit CDC’s filter page to learn more about home water filters.

5. How can I find out if there has been a violation in our public water standard?

Every community water supplier must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to its customers.. The report provides information on your local drinking water quality, including the water’s source, contaminants found in the water, and how consumers can get involved in protecting drinking water. Six (6) years of CCRs for your system are posted here; most CCR’s for prior years are available upon request – [email protected]

6. How often does the local public water system test my drinking water?

Frequency of drinking water testing depends on the number of people served, the type of water source, and types of contaminants. You can find out about levels of regulated contaminants in your treated water for the previous calendar year in your annual consumer confidence report (CCR).

7. What should I do if I want my household water tested?

If you are concerned about contaminants in the NBRID water system, contact your state drinking water certification officer to obtain a list of certified labs that can help you determine what specific tests may be of interest. Depending on how many contaminants you wish to test for, the cost of a water test can range from $15 to hundreds of dollars. Visit EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information website if you have questions external icon on testing methods.

8. Who should I contact if my water has a funny smell, taste, or appearance?

A change in your water’s taste, color, or smell is not necessarily a health concern. However, sometimes a change can be a sign of problems. If you notice a change in your water, call the NBRID main office at 707-259-8600 (M-F 8 am – 5pm), or the operations team at 916-584-1893, at any time.

If you want to test your water yourself, the County Environmental Health department (707-253-4417) or State Division of Drinking Water (916-341-5455) may be able to assist in explaining any tests that you need for various contaminants. If your local health department is not able to help, contact a state certified laboratory to perform the test.