Rancho Cucamonga Tap Water Report
Rancho Cucamonga Tap Water Report: What It Means for Your Family’s Health
Is the tap water in Rancho Cucamonga safe for your family to drink? A recent report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides an in-depth look at what’s lurking in the water supplied by the Cucamonga Valley Water District (PWS ID: CA3610018). In this post, we’ll break down the findings of EWG’s tap water quality report – highlighting key contaminants, their potential health effects, and how the levels in local tap water compare to federal legal limits versus health guidelines. We’ll also explain some technical terms in simple language and discuss why health-conscious families might want to consider water filtration or alternative water sources. (Hint: We’ll introduce why many locals trust filtered sources like Crystal Alkaline Water as a clean option.)
Drinking Water Quality in Rancho Cucamonga: An Overview
Rancho Cucamonga’s water utility (Cucamonga Valley Water District, serving about 202,000 people in San Bernardino County) draws primarily from surface water sources. According to EWG’s 2023 Tap Water Database report, the local tap water meets all federal standards – meaning it complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) legal limits for contaminants. In fact, in the latest EPA assessment (April–June 2024), the water was officially in compliance with health-based drinking water standards. However, “legal” does not necessarily equal “safe.” EWG emphasizes that getting a passing grade from federal regulators doesn’t guarantee the water meets the most up-to-date health guidelines. In Rancho Cucamonga’s case, EWG found 16 different contaminants that exceed EWG’s own health-based guidelines, out of 29 total contaminants detected in the water. These guidelines are stricter targets that reflect current scientific and public health research. Many federal legal limits (set by the EPA decades ago) have not been updated in almost 20 years, so they sometimes allow higher levels of pollutants than what researchers today consider truly safe for long-term exposure. In the sections below, we’ll highlight some of the key contaminants identified in the EWG report, explain their potential health effects, and compare the levels found in Rancho Cucamonga tap water to both federal legal limits and EWG’s health guidelines. Don’t worry – we’ll keep the explanations family-friendly and easy to understand.
Key Contaminants in Rancho Cucamonga Tap Water and Their Health Effects
EWG’s report calls out several contaminants of concern in our local water supply. Here are some of the most noteworthy ones that health-conscious families should know about, along with what they are and why they matter:
Arsenic: A toxic metalloid that can seep into water from natural mineral deposits or past agricultural use. In Rancho Cucamonga’s water, arsenic was measured at 0.414 ppb (parts per billion) – which is well below the EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb, but about 103 times higher than EWG’s health guideline of 0.004 ppm. Why worry about arsenic? It’s a potent carcinogen; long-term exposure even at low levels can increase the risk of cancers (such as bladder, lung, and skin cancer) and other health issues. In fact, arsenic in drinking water is estimated to cause thousands of cancer cases in the U.S. each year. Health guidelines are set extremely low for arsenic (0.004 ppb) to essentially represent a level with minimal cancer risk. Nitrate: Nitrate is a chemical most often associated with fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and agricultural or urban drainage. EWG’s data show nitrate in our tap water at 3.13 ppm (parts per million), compared to the legal limit of 10 ppm. While 3.13 ppm is under the EPA limit, it is 22 times higher than EWG’s health guideline of 0.14 ppm. High nitrate levels are especially dangerous for infants: ingesting too much nitrate can cause “blue baby syndrome,” a condition where an infant’s blood can’t carry enough oxygen (leading to oxygen deprivation). Nitrate is also linked to an increased risk of certain cancers in adults, according to some studies. In other words, even moderate nitrate levels in tap water can be a concern for both infant health and long-term cancer risk.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): This is a group of chemical byproducts that form when disinfectants like chlorine react with natural organic matter in water. Five haloacetic acids (abbreviated HAA5) are regulated by federal standards. In Rancho Cucamonga’s water, total HAA5 levels averaged 36.2 ppb, which is below the EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb, but a startling 362 times higher than EWG’s health guideline of 0.1 ppb
Such haloacetic acids are potential carcinogens. Studies have found that haloacetic acids and similar disinfection byproducts can increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Essentially, these are unintended contaminants – they get created when chlorine is used to kill bacteria in water, but they can have their own health risks for those who drink the water over many years.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs): Trihalomethanes are another category of disinfection byproducts (formed alongside HAA5 when chlorine is used). The four regulated TTHMs include chemicals like chloroform and bromodichloromethane. The EWG report shows TTHMs at 21.9 ppb in our water, under the legal cap of 80 ppb but a huge 146 times higher than EWG’s ideal guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Like HAA5, trihalomethanes have been linked to cancer and potential reproductive issues. For example, one TTHM component, bromodichloromethane, is known to increase cancer risk and has been associated with developmental problems during pregnancy.
The presence of TTHMs and HAA5 is a reminder that while chlorine disinfection is important for killing microbes, it also creates these byproducts that families would ideally want minimized.
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium): This contaminant gained notoriety from the Erin Brockovich story – it’s an industrial chemical (also can occur naturally) that can contaminate groundwater. Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen when ingested. The report for Rancho Cucamonga found chromium-6 at 1.26 ppb, which technically has no specific federal legal limit (EPA only has a limit of 100 ppb for all forms of chromium) but is 63 times higher than EWG’s health guideline of 0.02 ppb.
In other words, even though our chromium levels meet federal requirements, they far exceed the health goal set by California scientists to protect against cancer. Chromium-6 in water here likely comes from industrial pollution or natural mineral deposits.
Over time, ingestion of chromium-6 can damage cells and is linked to elevated cancer risk, which is why California’s public health goal for this toxin is virtually zero
(These are just a few of the contaminants identified. Others found above health guidelines include a legacy pesticide (1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane, a banned fumigant) and additional disinfection byproducts like dibromoacetic acid and dibromochloromethane, all of which have similar cancer or health concerns
For brevity we focus on the major ones that families are most likely to recognize or encounter in news.) As you can see, many of these contaminants are present at levels considered legal under federal standards but far above the levels scientists deem truly safe. Chemicals like arsenic, nitrate, and the chlorine byproducts are ingested in tiny amounts with each glass of tap water – but over years and decades, those tiny amounts can add up. Health guidelines (like EWG’s) are set to be extra-protective, often aiming for a “one-in-a-million” lifetime cancer risk level for contaminants that cause cancer. In contrast, federal legal limits often involve trade-offs between health risks and the cost or feasibility of contaminant removal. That’s why the EWG report shows such large gaps between what’s legal and what’s ideal for health.
Legal Limits vs. Health Guidelines: Understanding the Standards
It’s important to understand the difference between EPA legal limits and health-based guidelines (such as those cited by EWG or California health agencies). The EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are enforceable standards – if a water utility exceeds an MCL, it’s in violation of the law. But MCLs don’t always reflect the latest research. Many were set long ago, balancing health benefits against treatment costs and technical achievability. As EWG points out, some federal limits haven’t been updated in decades even as new studies have emerged about toxicity at lower levels. Health-based guidelines, on the other hand, are non-enforceable goals that indicate what level of a contaminant would pose minimal risk. For instance, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment often sets Public Health Goals (PHGs) – like the 0.004 ppb goal for arsenic or 0.02 ppb for chromium-6 – which represent concentrations that would not be expected to cause significant health problems over a lifetime
Similarly, EWG’s own guidelines (used in this report) draw on those PHGs or on risk assessments that target a one-in-a-million cancer risk. In practical terms, this means water can be “legally safe” but still contain contaminant levels that health experts find concerning. For example, our local water’s nitrate level of ~3 ppm is legal (since it’s under 10 ppm) but is high enough that, if an infant were to drink formula mixed with this water, there could be a risk of oxygen deprivation issues over time. Likewise, arsenic at 0.4 ppb is only 4% of the legal limit, yet it’s over 100 times the health guideline – indicating some level of long-term cancer risk exists even at that concentration
The take-home message for families is: don’t be lulled into complacency just because your water report says “all contaminants below legal limits.” Legal compliance is a good start – our water is free of acute dangers like bacterial contamination – but it can still contain pollutants at levels that researchers warn may affect health in the long run
. Being informed about what’s in your tap water empowers you to take additional precautions if needed.
Taking Action: How to Ensure Safer Drinking Water for Your Family
Knowing what’s in your water is the first step. The next step is deciding what to do about it. Here are some actions health-conscious families in Rancho Cucamonga (or anywhere) can consider to reduce exposure to these contaminants:
Use a Quality Water Filter at Home: One of the most effective ways to protect your household is to install a water filtration system that targets the contaminants of concern. Not all filters are equal, so look for filters certified to remove specific pollutants. For example, activated carbon filters (such as those in high-end pitchers or fridge units) can reduce chlorine and disinfection byproducts like haloacetic acids and TTHMs. Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are even more powerful – a good RO system can strip out arsenic, nitrates, chromium-6, and many other contaminants by forcing water through a fine membrane
Some households use a combination (carbon + RO) for broad protection. While there’s an upfront cost, many families find peace of mind in knowing their tap water is additionally purified beyond what the city provides.
Stay Informed and Advocate: Keep an eye on your annual water quality report (often called the Consumer Confidence Report) from the local water district, and compare it with resources like the EWG Tap Water Database for an independent analysis. If contaminant levels concern you, you’re not alone – consider joining with other community members to advocate for better source water protections and treatment upgrades. Remember EWG’s note that the best way to ensure clean tap water is to stop pollution at the source
Supporting policies that keep industrial chemicals, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants out of our water supply in the first place will benefit everyone.
Consider Trusted Alternate Water Sources: Some families opt to drink and cook with water that has been purified elsewhere, especially for vulnerable family members like infants, pregnant mothers, or those with health issues. Bottled water is not always better – some brands are basically just tap water in a bottle. If you go this route, research the company and look for information on how they treat and test their water. A popular choice in our community is to use local refill stations or delivery services that specialize in purified water. For instance, Crystal Alkaline Water in Rancho Cucamonga is a family-owned water store that provides ultra-purified water. They use a multi-step filtration process (a 9-stage reverse osmosis system) specifically designed to remove 99% of contaminants from the local tap water
The water is then remineralized to an alkaline pH for taste and health preference. Many health-conscious households trust this kind of service because it takes the guesswork out – the water is already filtered beyond what home equipment typically does, and you can refill large bottles for home use. It’s a convenient alternative if you want an extra layer of assurance about water quality. (Plus, as a side benefit, their alkaline water has a crisp, clean taste that can encourage the whole family to stay hydrated.)
In summary, the EWG tap water report for Rancho Cucamonga highlights that while our tap water meets legal requirements, it contains small amounts of various contaminants – like arsenic, nitrate, and disinfection byproducts – at levels above what current health guidelines recommend. For families, especially those with kids, it’s worth being proactive. You can reduce potential risks by filtering your water or choosing water that’s been rigorously purified. Whether you invest in a home filtration system or rely on a trusted provider of clean water, the goal is the same: to ensure that the water your family drinks every day is as healthy and pure as possible. Remember: Water is fundamental to our health. Understanding what’s in your tap water – and knowing how to improve its quality – will help you make the best choices for your family’s well-being. Clean drinking water is not a luxury; it’s a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. With resources like the EWG report and solutions like advanced filtration, Rancho Cucamonga families can stay informed and confidently quench their thirst with water that’s both safe and delicious. Here’s to your health! 🥤💧 Sources: Environmental Working Group Tap Water Database report for Cucamonga Valley Water District
