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

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is announcing the availability of a draft document describing a proposed health-protective concentration (HPC) for noncancer effects of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in drinking water, as part of the update to the Cr(VI) Public Health Goal (PHG). OEHHA will hold a hybrid workshop on January 8, 2024, the public workshop agenda is now available. 

Summary

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency has adopted and published Public Health Goals (PHGs) for the five regulated haloacetic acids (HAAs) found in drinking water as a result of disinfection methods: monochloroacetic acid (MCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), monobromoacetic acid (MBA), and dibromoacetic acid (DBA).

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the release of a second draft document for public review describing proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) for the five regulated haloacetic acids (HAAs) found in drinking water as a result of disinfection methods: monochloroacetic acid (MCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), monobromoacetic acid (MBA), and dibromoacetic acid (DBA)

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board acute notification level recommendations for four cyanotoxins. Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, during algal blooms. These acute NL recommendations represent the recommended maximum concentrations that people can consume over a 24-hour period.