The
City of
Antioch Water Treatment Plant
produces and distributes water to all residents of
Antioch. In 2008, over 6 billion gallons of water were treated and served
through over 30,000 service connections. We maintain 12 storage reservoirs throughout the City, as
well as numerous pumping stations to ensure sufficient pressure to all areas of
the City.
Here
are some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive in our
department.
Who runs the
Antioch
Water Treatment Plant?
Trained
and certified operators, technicians, and supervisors staff the Water Treatment
Plant. The State of
California
certifies through testing that the water treatment plant operators meet minimum
education and training requirements. These requirements have become
increasingly stringent over the past few years. In addition, chemists,
microbiologists, and lab technicians who analyze the City’s water must pass
proficiency tests on a regular basis. They must have a background in the
environmental sciences and specialized training in water treatment.
Is
Antioch's
Water Safe to Drink?
Yes. The treated water delivered to our customers
meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality regulations and is
continually tested to assure its safety.
Each
month, over 2000 analyses are performed throughout the treatment process and
distribution system.
Are Bacteria Present in the Water?
All
raw water sources, including our Delta water source, contain bacteria, most of
which are not disease causing. The multi-barrier treatment and disinfection
process at the Water Treatment Plant eliminates any potentially harmful
bacteria. Samples are collected on a regular basis throughout our
distribution system to ensure that no disease causing bacteria are present in
the treated drinking water supply.
Test
results for 2008 far exceeded the
California Department of Public Health requirements.
Does
the City Add Fluoride to the Water?
Yes, the water is fluoridated in accordance with Department of
Health guidelines. The level is 0.8 mg/L.
Is Our Water Hard?
Water
hardness level is not a health issue, and therefore it is not regulated as a
primary drinking water standard by the Department of Health or the EPA.
However, water hardness makes cleaning tasks more difficult and can form scale
in home water heaters and industrial boilers. On the other hand, soft
water tends to be corrosive.
The American Water Works Association suggests an ideal hardness
of 79mg/L. The average hardness of the water in our system during 2008 was 105 mg/L (6 grains/gallon).
Why Do I
See
City Employees
Flushing Water From Fire Hydrants?
Flushing
water through fire hydrants is a maintenance tool used to keep the water mains
clean and free of sediment build up to improve the quality of the water
delivered to our customers.
The
City Water Department has developed a flushing program designed to periodically
flush all areas of the system.
How Can I Learn More About What Is and Is Not in my Drinking
Water?
Each year since 1990 we have produced an Annual Water Quality Report for our customers. The report is mailed to
all residents of
Antioch
by July 1st. It gives a great deal of valuable information about the
water in our system. If you need
additional copies, please phone our Water Treatment Plant at (925) 779-7024. |
