It can be easy to overlook the simplicity and ease of accessing clean and reliable tap water. I mean, just take a moment to think about all of the things you’ve done so far today. A warm cup of tea to start your morning, running a load of laundry during a break in your day or boiling those spaghetti noodles you’ve been thinking about for dinner – chances are, tap water has played a part in your routine. These simple (if not critical) joys are made possible by a not so simple process of rigorously delivering safe, high-quality tap water to your home.
We get it, not everyone cares about the pH levels of their water or exactly how the wonder of water filtration works. For those who don’t have time to take a deep dive into the world of water quality, know this: SAWPA wants every customer in the region to trust the safety of their tap water and consider using tap water as the default source of water, which is both safe and cost effective. Not sold yet? Let’s tap into more of the nitty gritty.
You may be wondering, who is SAWPA and how do they contribute to your tap water? The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority was formed in 1968 as a joint power authority under California law, composed of five member agencies: Eastern Municipal Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Orange County Water District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District and Western Municipal Water District.
SAWPA was created as an avenue for these five agencies to work together on water projects and programs affecting the watershed. What does this have to do with you? It’s quite simple. If you live in the Santa Ana Watershed, the water that comes from your tap most likely comes from one of these five partner water agencies.
Getting water to the Santa Ana region takes a lot of coordination, hence why these five water agencies banded together to ensure that their customers have accurate and engaging information about where their water comes from, how it’s tested, and the safety of their tap water.
Did you know that most of the water we drink is actually snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains or maybe even the Rocky Mountains? That’s pretty far way. We also have many local sources of water within the region, but in most cases, it takes both to provide customers with enough water for everyday needs. To make this happen, our member agencies pump water from underground lakes (aka aquifers) using wells, clean it and then mix it with the water from the Sierras and the Rockies.
Being that this is only a glimpse into the water purification process, you may still be wondering, can I really trust my tap water? Yes, indeed you can. Or you may ask, how do I know what is really in my water? The answer is simple: your local water agency tests and treats water thousands of times per year to ensure it meets some of the highest water-quality standards in the world before it ever reaches your tap. In fact, the quality of your water is governed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires all public water systems to notify customers annually regarding the quality of the water they receive. In addition, California has stringent standards for water that each water agency must adhere to. Side note, these standards are significantly higher than what the FDA requires of bottled water, but more on that another time.
Trust is an important part of any relationship. That’s why we want to provide you with the background information necessary so you can put your trust in tap. Stay tuned for more information, coming your way soon.
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