PHELAN PINON HILLS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
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Water Quality

What's in our water?  Learn more below.
Learn More

Questions About Chromium 6?

Learn More

Water Quality

All water delivered by the District to each customer’s faucet comes directly from two local groundwater basins and is minimally treated. Together, the groundwater basins contain over 600,000 acre-feet of water, or over 195 billion gallons.

Only a portion of the local groundwater can be used for drinking water. The basins consist of three layers, with the top layer comprised of high quality water ready to go to customers. The lower two layers contain more minerals, are harder to reach, and cannot be used to supply water to the District. The District diligently seeks to protect its water from potential contaminants. Each month, the District conducts nearly 30 water quality tests so that customers can be confident they are receiving safe, high-quality water.

Every year, the District issues a water quality report called a Consumer Confidence Report.  Below are all available Consumer Confidence Reports issued since the formation of the District.

  • 2019 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2018 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2017 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2016 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2015 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2014 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2013 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2012 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2011 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2010 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2009 Consumer Confidence Report
  • 2008 Consumer Confidence Report

Chromium-6 Project

bACKGROUND

In 2014, the California Department of Public Health lowered the Drinking Water Standard for chromium-6 from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb while the federal standard remained at 100 ppb.  The Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District (District) has wells that average 10-16 ppb so the District became out of compliance with the 10 ppb standard.  The District, through various studies, determined the most cost effective way to reduce the level of chromium-6 was to blend existing District water sources with a new water source.  This resulted in the District's Chromium-6 Mitigation Project and the project commenced with a goal of meeting the state's compliance timeline.  In August 2017, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) reversed the new standard after a court ruled the new standard was invalid due to failure to properly consider the economic feasibility of complying with the new standard.  The SWRCB is currently in the process of completing this economic feasibility requirement and determining what the standard for chromium-6 should be.  Until further notice, the District has halted all work on the Chromium-6 Mitigation Project.

Project information

  • Project Overview
  • Project Brief and Timeline
  • Project Presentation
  • Project CEQA
  • Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program

request for proposals (archived)

Professional Engineering Design Services
  • Pre-Proposal Meeting Questions
  • Addendum No. 2
  • Consultant List

Why is the chromium-6 surcharge still on my bill?

Although the SWRCB reversed the 10 ppb standard back to 50 ppb for chromium-6 levels, it was done after the District had already spent approximately $3.7 million towards the Chromium-6 Mitigation Project to meet the 10 ppb standard.  This surcharge will remain in effect until all costs are recovered, currently estimated to be February 2021 assuming current repayment rates and assuming the state does not change the standard again.

surcharge update
​(January 2018)

July 2014
State standard for chromium-6 reduced from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion, requiring District to reduce levels no later than January 2020.
July 2016
Chromium-6 Surcharge implemented.
August 2017
State reverses 10 parts per billion standard back to 50 parts per billion.
November 2017
District halts all work on the Chromium-6 Mitigation Project.
February 2021
Estimated date Chromium-6 Surcharge will be removed from bills, assuming current repayment rates and assuming the state does not change the standard again.
Summary of Costs to Date
$3,660,000 spent on:
  • Feasibility Study
  • Preliminary Design
  • Environmental Review (CEQA)
  • Engineering Report
  • Project Design
  • Water Rights Acquisition
  • Water Quality Testing
  • Well Test Pumping and Well Rehabilitation
$794,580 collect from Chromium-6 Surcharge (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017)

What is Chromium-6?

The chromium-6 found in our water is naturally occurring.  Chromium is a metal found in natural deposits of ores and is widely present in soil and plants.  Chromium-6 occurs as a result of oxidization and appears naturally in many groundwater locations.  The chromium-6 found in our water is not the result of industrial activity, additives, or activity of the District - it is naturally occurring.

How much is in our water?

Chromium-6 has been detected in five of the District's best producing wells.  The levels average 10-16 ppb which is far below the federal standard of 100 ppb and nowhere near the 3,600 ppb found in Hinkley.

alternate drinking water suppliers

Customers wishing to use alternate drinking sources may download the list of alternate drinking water suppliers.
Download

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  • Home
  • Services
    • Water Department >
      • My Account
      • New Disconnection Policy
      • Apply for Service
      • Rates and Fees
      • Meter Replacement Program
      • New Connections
      • Water Quality
      • Education and Conservation
      • Projects
      • Service Line Replacement Program
    • Parks and Recreation >
      • Parks and Recreation
      • Community Centers
      • Seniors
      • Phelan Farmers Market
    • Solid Waste and Recycling >
      • Solid Waste and Recycling
      • Commercial Customers
      • Rates and Fees
    • Street Lighting
  • Contractors
    • Requests for Proposal
    • Standard Details
    • Request Access to Water Line Map
    • Water Line Map
    • Construction Meter Application
    • Rates and Fees
  • Events
  • Governance
    • Employment
    • Our Board
    • District Management
    • Rules and Regulations
    • Transparency
    • Ordinances and Resolutions
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Finance and Budget
    • Public Notices
  • Contact
  • Information
    • District Calendar
    • District History
    • District News Releases and Blog
    • District Boundary Map
    • District FAQ
    • Administrative Fees
    • Community Information