Water

OEHHA performs major risk assessment and hazard evaluation activities relating to chemical contaminants in drinking water. These activities include developing health advisories, Public Health Goals for chemical substances in drinking water, Notification Levels, and providing toxicological assistance for chemical monitoring activities for the drinking water supply. The program also provides education to the public and other governmental agencies on drinking water contamination and drinking water regulatory standards development.

Public Health Goals

Level of a chemical contaminant in drinking water that does not pose a significant risk to health

Notices

Legal notices for Public Health Goals and Notification Levels

Notification Levels

Health-based advisory levels for chemicals in drinking water

Reports

Reports focusing on water

Human Right to Water

OEHHA’s assessment framework and data tool related to drinking water quality, accessibility, and affordability

Reports, Notices, Documents

July 1, 2001: Initiation of Risk Assessments for Chemicals in Drinking Water (2001)

OEHHA announces the initiation of Risk Assessments for Chemicals in Drinking Water in 2001 for the following chemicals: 1,1-dichloroethane, cis/trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (dioxin), molinate, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), radionuclides (gross alpha and beta), radium-226 and -228, selenium, strontium, styrene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trihalomethanes, and tritium.

June 29, 2001: Public Health Goal for Benzene in Drinking Water

The final technical support document for the Public Health Goal for benzene in drinking water is available.

May 24, 2001: Proposed Notification levels for 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene and 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene

OEHHA recommends an action level of 330 ppb (ug/L) for both 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene in drinking water.

April 6, 2001: Public Health Goal for Aluminum in Drinking Water

The final technical support document for the Public Health Goal for aluminum is available

March 27, 2001: State to Develop Health Goal, Seeks Scientific Review of Chromium 6 in Drinking Water

The California Environmental Protection Agency, on behalf of OEHHA, has asked the University of California (UC) to establish a blue-ribbon panel of expert scientists nationwide to review scientific questions concerning the potential of chromium 6 to cause cancer when it is ingested. The UC panel's review will provide recommendations to assist OEHHA in the development of a chromium 6 PHG.