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LA’s water quality ranks low among large US cities; Sacramento tap water rated best

Posted by: Maven on December 15, 2009 at 8:07 am

From Water World:

“The quality of Los Angeles’ drinking water ranks among the lowest of large U.S. cities and contains nearly four times the average number of chemical pollutants, according to a study released Monday that drew criticism from water suppliers.

The environmental report rated Department of Water and Power drinking water at 83rd out of 100 water agencies because of its cocktail of 30 chemical contaminants.

One cancer-causing chemical exceeded federal legal standards while 14 other chemicals surpassed recommended health guidelines, according to the report.

In comparison, the agency that supplies potable water to 19 million residents in L.A. suburbs – including about two-thirds of the South Bay – ranked 58th. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California tap water contained 27 chemicals, most of them unregulated and legal, but potentially unsafe.

“Looking at the data, we’re definitely concerned about water quality in Southern California. We recommend utilities really look at their processing. There’s much room for improvement,” said Olga Naidenko, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental watchdog based in Washington, D.C., and a co- author of the report.

“We recommend residents get water filters.” … “


Read more from Water World by clicking here.

From the Sacramento Bee:

“A national research and lobbying group has ranked Sacramento’s tap water as the best in California and 18th-best in the nation.

The Environmental Working Group ranked the water of big cities with populations of more than 250,000. The municipal water was tested by the environmental group for a variety of qualities, including number of chemicals detected since 2004, percentage of chemicals found of those tested and the highest average level for a pollutant.

Taking first place was Arlington, Texas. Texas placed four cities in the top 12.

Sacramento also finished behind Honolulu, which came in sixth and Minneapolis, which placed 10th. But Sacramento’s water tested better than rainy Seattle, rated 25th, and Hetch Hetchy-fed San Francisco at 33rd. … “

Read more from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.

December 15, 2009 · Filed Under Drinking Water & Bottled Water

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