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Sources Of Drinking Water in Thousand Oaks, California
Where does Thousand Oaks' water come from? The water supply system for Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park relies solely on treated surface water, which is procured from the Calleguas Municipal Water District. This district functions as an authorized distributor of treated water, which it obtains from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC). The MWDSC's Jensen and Weymouth water treatment facilities process the water. The primary sources of this water are the Sacramento and Colorado Rivers, which are channeled to Southern California through the California Aqueduct (also referred to as the State Water Project) and the Colorado River Aqueduct. The treatment processes applied to this imported water include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, ensuring its safety and quality for consumption. Is Thousand Oaks' water safe to drink? Does Thousand Oaks put fluoride in the water?
Source: City of Thousand Oaks, CA
Contaminants Found in Thousand Oaks' Water Supply
(Detected above health guidelines*)
Arsenic
3rd party independent testing found that this utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and bedrock in parts of the United States. Commercial activities that could have left arsenic in our soil and water include, apple orchard spraying, coal ash disposal, use of pressure treated wood. Arsenic has no smell, taste, or color when dissolved in water, even in high concentrations, so only laboratory analysis can detect its presence and concentration. What are the risks of drinking tap water with arsenic? Cancer. Chronic exposure to arsenic is also associated with an increased risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancer. There is also evidence that long-term exposure to arsenic can increase risks for kidney and prostate cancer. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Bromate
3rd party independent testing found that this utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Bromate may be formed in water during ozonation when the bromide ion is present. Under certain conditions, bromate may also be formed in concentrated hypochlorite solutions used to disinfect drinking-water. Bromate is usually found in drinking water as a result of water treatment, rather than through source water contamination. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Bromate? Kidney Issues. Exposure to large amounts of bromate for a long period of time caused kidney effects in laboratory animals. Long-term exposure to high levels of bromate has also caused cancer in rats. Whether bromate can cause cancer in people is not known. Some people may be at greater risk for developing health effects from bromate exposure or have concerns for their pregnancy or nursing infant. Because bromate can cause health effects in kidneys, it is possible that those with pre-existing kidney conditions could be at greater risk. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Bromodichloromethane
3rd party independent testing found that this utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Bromodichloromethane is one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) that formed when disinfectants, such as chlorine, are used to treat tap water. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Bromodichloromethane? Cancer, Kidney & Liver Damage. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. In recent animal studies, the main effect of eating or drinking large amounts of Bromodichloromethane is injury to the liver and kidneys. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Bromoform
3rd party independent testing found that this utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Bromoform (also known as tribromomethane) is a possible contaminant of drinking water that has been chlorinated to kill bacteria and viruses that could cause serious waterborne infectious diseases. Bromoform may form when chlorine reacts with other naturally occurring substances in water, such as decomposing plant material. What are the risks of drinking tap water with bromoform? Liver & Kidney Damage. Some studies in animals indicate that exposure to high doses of bromoform or dibromochloromethane may also lead to liver and kidney injury within a short period of time. Other animal studies suggest that typical bromoform or dibromochloromethane exposures do not pose a high risk of affecting the chance of becoming pregnant or harming an unborn baby. However, studies in animals indicate that long-term intake of either bromoform or dibromochloromethane can cause liver and kidney cancer. Although cancer in humans cannot be definitely attributed to these chemicals, it is an effect of special concern, since many people are exposed to low levels of bromoform and dibromochloromethane in chlorinated drinking water. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Chloroform
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Chloroform, is a total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) which is formed when disinfectants are used to treat tap water. Most of the chloroform found in the environment comes from industry. Chloroform enters the environment from chemical companies and paper mills, It is also found in waste water from sewage treatment plants and drinking water to which chlorine has been added. Chlorine is added to most drinking water and many waste waters to destroy bacteria. Small amounts of chloroform are formed as an unwanted product during the process of adding chlorine to water. What are the risks of drinking tap water with chloroform? Cancer, central nervous system (brain), liver, and kidneys. Cancer of the liver and kidneys developed in rats and mice that ate food or drank water that had large amounts of chloroform in it for a long time. We do not know whether liver and kidney cancer would develop in people after long-term exposure to chloroform in drinking water. Based on animal studies, the Department of Health and Human Services has determined that chloroform may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer). Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Chromium (hexavalent)
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. The movie Erin Brockovich alerted the public to the great suffering the little town of Hinkley, California experienced due to hexavalent chromium in their drinking water. Today, Hinkley is little more than a ghost town thanks to continued water contamination, health concerns, and plummeting property values. Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Chromium (hexavalent)? Cancer. A 2008 study by the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, found that chromium-6 in drinking water caused cancer in laboratory rats and mice. That study and other research led scientists at the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to conclude that chromium-6 can cause cancer in people. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Dibromoacetic acid
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by the United States Government, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Dibromoacetic acid? Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Some people who drink water containing Haloacetic Acids at higher than normal levels over many years may have a higher risk of getting cancer. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Dibromochloromethane
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), was used in the past to make other chemicals such as fire extinguisher fluids, spray can propellants, refrigerator fluid, and pesticides. It is now only used on a small scale in laboratories. In the environment, dibromochloromethane is not found as a pure liquid, but instead, it is found either dissolved in water or evaporated into the air as a gas. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Dibromochloromethane? Liver & Kidney Damage. Animal studies indicate that long-term intake of dibromochloromethane can cause liver and kidney cancer. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Dichloroacetic Acid
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Dichloroacetic Acid is one of the five haloacetic acids and a member of the chloroacetic acids family. It is an essential chemical compound in medical research, especially in cancer treatment. This type of chloroacetic acid is a trace product of the process of chlorination of drinking water. Dichloroacetic Acid can get into water systems through improper disposal of waste from pharmaceutical factories. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Dichloroacetic acid? Cancer, Reproductive Issues, Child Development. Dichloroacetic Acid in drinking water may cause health problems during pregnancy, liver and kidney damage, reproductive difficulties, eyes and nerve problems, and an increased risk of getting cancer. Dichloroacetic Acid is common in municipal water since it is a trace product of the chlorination of drinking water. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5 & HAA9)
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are a type of chlorination disinfection by-product that are formed when the chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water. Haloacetic acids are a relatively new disinfection by-product of modern water treatment methods. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Haloacetic acids (HAA5 & HAA9)? Cancer. Some people who drink water containing Haloacetic Acids at higher than normal levels over many years may have a higher risk of getting cancer. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Microplastics
There is no available testing for microplastics from this water utility. Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and have been detected in a broad range of concentrations in marine water, wastewater, fresh water, food, air and drinking-water, both bottled and tap water. A recent study by Orb analyzed 159 water samples, sourced from both tap water and bottled water in 14 countries, and found that over 80% of all samples contained tiny plastic particles, with an average of 4.34 plastic particles per liter of water. Even more surprising, 94% of water samples from the United States contained microplastics, which topped the list. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Perfluorinated Chemicals
There is no available testing for PFAS from this water utility. You can’t see or taste them, but there are more than 12,000 chemicals including GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA, that could be lurking in your drinking water, causing everything from birth defects to cancer. Broadly known as PFAS, short for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, these are dangerous man-made toxins that never break down, build up in our blood and organs, and could damage the health of millions. They come from persistent manufactured chemicals used in industrial applications and consumer products (ex: Teflon, Gor-Tex). By some estimates, 200 million Americans nationwide are likely drinking water polluted with these chemicals, and PFAS has been detected in the blood of 98% of our population. PFAS are very stable, slow to degrade in the environment. PFAS are highly soluble in aquatic environments and can dissolve into water from various sources. Due to their chemical and biological stability, PFAS are difficult to degrade via biodegradation, photolysis, or hydrolysis. They are most often found near industry discharge points where they have been used. Currently there are no enforceable federal drinking water limits for PFAS. What are the risks of drinking tap water with PFAS? Endocrine Disruption, Reproductive & Child Development Issues. PFAS are considered toxic and can lead to potential adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. Animal studies show that increased exposure to high concentrations of PFAS may cause abnormal endocrine activity, and reproductive and developmental problems. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Radiological Contaminants
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant (Uranium). Radiological contamination of water is due to the presence of radionuclides, which are defined as atoms with unstable nuclei. In an effort to become more stable, a radionuclide emits energy in the form of rays or high-speed particles. This is called ionizing radiation because it displaces electrons, which creates ions. The three major types of ionizing radiation are alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. Radiological contaminants leach into water from certain minerals and from mining. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Radiological contaminants? Cancer. Over and over again, regardless of the source, long-term exposure or brief exposure in high doses, leads to cancer. Cancers of the bone, liver, stomach, lungs, skin, kidneys, thyroid gland, and most other tissues are common, and medical science is still discovering other maladies that may be cancer-related. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
3rd party independent testing found that this water utility exceeds health guidelines for this drinking water contaminant. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are the result of a reaction between the chlorine used for disinfecting tap water and natural organic matter in the water. At elevated levels, TTHMs have been associated with negative health effects such as cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes. Now a study by government and academic researchers adds to previous evidence that dermal absorption and inhalation of TTHMs associated with everyday tap water use can result in significantly higher blood TTHM concentrations than simply drinking the water does. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)? Cancer. Studies from around the world, including the United States & Europe have found that drinking tap water that carries Total Trihalomethanes increases the risk of developing cancer. In animal studies, all trihalomethanes cause liver, kidney and intestinal tumors. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
Fluoride
There is a drinking water standard of 4 ppm for fluoride but there is no health guideline for this contaminant and much is unknown about the effects of synthetic fluoride long term on the human body. This water utility did not exceed the drinking water standard for fluoride but fluoride was found in their water. Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems. The fluoride that is added to water is not the naturally occurring kind, the main chemicals used to fluoridate drinking water are known as “silicofluorides” (i.e., hydrofluorosilicic acid and sodium fluorosilicate). Silicofluorides are not pharmaceutical-grade fluoride products; they are unprocessed industrial by-products of the phosphate fertilizer industry. Since these silicofluorides undergo no purification procedures, they can contain elevated levels of arsenic — more so than any other water treatment chemical. In addition, recent research suggests that the addition of silicofluorides to water is a risk factor for elevated lead exposure, particularly among residents who live in homes with old pipes. What are the risks of drinking tap water with Fluoride? Unknown. A growing body of evidence reasonably indicates that fluoridated water, in addition to other sources of daily fluoride exposure, can cause or contribute to a range of serious effects, including neurological issues, arthritis, damage to the developing brain, reduced thyroid function, and possibly osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in adolescent males. Animal studies indicate a moderate level of evidence that support adverse effects on learning and memory in animals exposed to fluoride in the diet or drinking water. Find out more about this contaminant and how to remove it here.
What are the best types of filters to remove these contaminants?
Two dominant carbon filter choices are solid activated carbon blocks and granular activated carbon filters (GAC). Unfortunately, our tap water can contain tiny microscopic particles that impact your long term health. These tiny particles can also change the taste and smell of the water as well as contain microbiological organisms that can actually make people sick shortly after drinking. Fortunately, there are water filtration products that remove many of the impurities from water. These filters often use activated carbon; activated carbon is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption of contaminants or chemical reactions with the contaminants causing them to adhere to the carbon. At Epic Water Filters we use solid activated carbon blocks for our filters which we believe is the superior way to filter contaminants out of your water. Below we explain why we chose to use solid activated carbon block filters instead of a granular activated carbon filter.
Filter Design
Granular activated carbon filters (GAC) have loose granules of carbon that look like black grains of sand. These black grains of carbon, are dumped into a container and the water is forced to travel through the container to reach the other side, passing by all of the grains of carbon. Solid block carbon filters, on the other hand, are blocks of compressed activated carbon that are formed with the combination of heat and pressure. These filters force the water to try to find a way through the solid wall and thousands of layers of carbon until they reach a channel which leads the water out of the filter. Both filters are made from carbon that’s ground into small particulate sizes. Solid activated carbon blocks are ground even further into a fine mesh 7 to 19 times smaller than the (GAC).
Flow Channels & Contact Time
As water continually passes through (GAC) filters, flow channels begin to develop that allow the water to flow around the carbon. Flow channels also develop between the granules of carbon themselves, leading to less effective filtration as there is less and less contact time between the water and the carbon. Solid activated carbon blocks, on the other hand, are much tighter and won’t even let microbial cysts like giardia and cryptosporidium (7 to 10 Microns in size) pass through the filter without getting caught in the millions of layers of carbon. Because solid activated carbon blocks are compressed under pressure, they have millions and millions of different sized pores that cause the water to take a long slow path to get through the filter, increasing the contact time that the contaminated water has with the carbon looking for a way through. During this contact time is when harmful contaminants like lead, adhere to the carbon and are removed from water. This happens during a process called adsorption, the other filtration method that solid activated carbon blocks use is called depth filtration. This is where the thickness of the carbon block filter comes into play to help remove contaminants as they have to pass through these thick carbon walls. The downside of solid activated carbon blocks is that they are often so tight that they can often get plugged up with organic and non-organic matter, forcing owners to replace them on a more regular basis. This is why when you are using a Brita water pitcher filter (GAC), the filter will keep going and going long after it has stopped removing any water contaminants. A good 5 micron sediment filter in front of your carbon block filter is a good way to extend the life of the solid activated carbon blocks and make it more efficient.
Solid Activated Carbon Blocks vs. Granulated Activated Carbon
The (GAC) filters are cheap and simple to manufacture, which is why most water filtration companies choose this method for manufacturing. Solid activated carbon blocks on the other hand take longer to manufacture and are more expensive to make but with this expense you will get superior contaminant removal because the water must take a more strenuous path through millions of layers of compressed carbon before it reaches your drinking glass.
Better Filtration
The solid activated carbon blocks, like the one used in the Epic Smart Shield & Epic Water Filter pitchers, remove more contaminants than the (GAC) filters due to the larger surface area and the thickness of the carbon walls, this is why Epic Water Filters has standardized on the solid activated carbon block design for our water pitchers and our under the sink water filter. (GAC) filters do not do enough to reduce contaminants, this is why they are not used when there is a chance of bacteria or cysts in the water. They are truly not "Epic'' so that is why we have passed on the (GAC) filter design and let our competitors use these loose packed carbon filters for sub-par contaminant removal. With solid activated carbon blocks the contaminants are in contact with more carbon for a longer period and therefore have more time to remove stubborn contaminants like lead (Epic Pure Pitcher 99.9% removal), fluoride (Epic Pure Pitcher 97.8% removal), and PFCs (Epic Pure Pitcher 99.8% removal). Carbon blocks can remove chlorine more effectively, eliminate undesirable odors, and removal of endocrine disruptors like volatile organic compounds. (GAC) filters, on the other hand, have small particles that move around under the pressure of water so they do not have as much uniformity throughout and therefore less contact time with the water and less contaminant removal.
What about Whole House or Point of Entry Filters?
Whole house filters (as known as Point of Entry) are good for certain things, but you should understand what they are good for and what they are not good for before investing in one. Because of the high flow rate needed at the water’s point of entry into your home, whole home filters do not have much contact time with the water. This is why they are usually large in size, to increase the contact time between water and the filter media. Whole home filters are generally set up in stages with some type of sediment filter first, followed by a large tank full of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). There can be multiple stages in different systems but this doesn’t necessarily increase the removal capacity. It does, however, increase the price of the system. The water passes through the sediment filter first, which catches all of the dirt and debris and then runs through the large GAC tank to knock down chlorine. If you dig into the performance data sheet of some of these systems, you will see that the contaminants removed or reduced are not very impressive. This is why if you look at Whole House Water Filters vs Under Sink Water Filters, there is no comparison for contaminant removal. If you have the budget, whole home water filters or point of entry should just be your first line of defense in water filtration. It should never be the only water filter in your house. Anyone that tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you a “Whole Home Filter.”
What about Reverse Osmosis?
RO filter systems do remove a lot of contaminants. There are 5 major downsides to a Reverse Osmosis System. The first major downside to RO systems is they are expensive. Most RO Systems cost 2x to 3x more than a carbon block system and usually have 4 to 6 small filters that need to be replaced each year. This means both the upfront cost and the yearly maintenance of the RO system will be higher. The second downside is that Reverse Osmosis wastes a lot of water. Each RO system wastes an average of 5 to 6 gallons for every 1 gallon of drinking water it produces. The third downside (and biggest downside of Reverse Osmosis in our minds) is that RO water filters remove trace minerals and other beneficial substances found in water that your body needs like calcium, manganese, iron and other important nutrients. This is why RO water is considered by many in the natural health world to be dead water and it is said that demineralized water is detrimental to general health due to vitamin and mineral depletion.
The fourth major downside of RO systems is that after your water passes through the filter process, it sits inside of a steel drum that is lined with a butyl rubber bladder which is made from a polyisobutylene base. The filtered water sits in this butyl rubber bladder until it is used. All rubber and plastic bladders leach into water at some level. The fifth and last major downside regarding RO Systems is that because the RO filtration process strips out all of the good nutrients in water, some RO companies think they can add a "Remineralization Cartridge" at the end of the filtration process to replace all of the good stuff that mother nature originally had in the water (Yikes!). Also, most of these "Remineralization Cartridges" that we have seen in the marketplace come from China. Generally we have found that when scientists or business people try to mimic mother nature, they miss badly. Solid carbon block filters do not have these issues.
What About Bottled Water
The widespread consumption of bottled water has raised significant health concerns due to the presence of plastic particles in the water. As plastic bottles deteriorate over time, they release tiny microplastic particles that find their way into the bottled water we drink. Recent research revealed that as much as 93% of the top water bottle brands contained these microplastics. These minute plastic particles pose risks to both human health and the environment. Scientific studies have highlighted the potential adverse effects on our bodies when we ingest these plastic particles, potentially leading to long-term health issues. Furthermore, the disposal of plastic water bottles contributes to plastic pollution, posing a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. The accumulation of plastic waste in oceans and waterways disrupts the delicate balance of aquatic environments, harming marine creatures. Addressing this pervasive issue requires urgent attention and the implementation of sustainable solutions to break the cycle of plastic pollution caused by the widespread use of bottled water.
A Different Way
Are you ready to change the water you drink? Epic Water Filters has a wide range of American made water filtration products to fit your needs. Select the product that fits best for you and start reaping the health benefits of filtered water.
Have questions about your water? Great! We love to talk about all things water related. Call us @ 720-600-0371 M-F 9am to 5pm MST or email our support team your questions support@epicwaterfilters.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
"After purchasing the drinking bottle, I have used it every day and have told countless others about how excellent it is. The peace of mind that my filtered water gives me is so refreshing. I have now bought the jug filter for the kitchen and another for my mother. I will never have to use unfiltered water again. Thank you Epic Water Filters. You have made me very happy." - Andrea
If you are not 100% satisfied with any product purchased from Epic Water Filters, you may return the merchandise to us for a full, 100% refund. We are committed to stronger filters, safer water, less risk.
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*3rd party review of tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards. Health guidelines, mentioned on this page, were established by independent scientists who reviewed the scientific evidence, federal and state legal limits for drinking water contaminants, health advisories and risk assessments, and incorporated them all into the health guidelines referenced here. Information on source water was obtained from city water quality reports and may be subject to change based on your location and zip code. Please consult the latest water quality report for your neighborhood or home address for more accurate information. It’s important to note that only a handful of contaminants are required to be included in annual Consumer Confidence Reports or Water Quality Reports, and that there are hundreds of potentially harmful unregulated contaminants that aren’t accounted for by the EPA. Results of tests cited here were provided to an independent 3rd party by the state, as well as test information received from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). Water is very local so it is always recommended that you test your own tap water with a 3rd party laboratory. We have found 3rd party testing available from reputable labs between $150 to $400 but we do not give recommendations for labs. Currently we have not found a home water test kit that we would recommend and it is our opinion that TDS meters are not a reliable way to test water quality.