Water Filtration System in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach gets its water from a variety of different sources including local groundwater supplies and the Colorado River. Laguna Beach does a much better job than most water municipalities at monitoring and cleaning water. However, there are some chemicals found in local water sources which have been linked directly to kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid issues, and more. Laguna Beach Water District goes to great lengths to provide a wealth of information about PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS. The district is very transparent in their representation of the harms associated with what are commonly referred to as forever chemicals. As a matter of fact, we strongly recommend reading Laguna Beach Water District’s detailed outline regarding the toxic chemicals and why there is such reason for concern.

Lead – Outside of those newly discovered chemicals located in water sources, there are also the more widely known contaminants which can be found in the water of homes and businesses. Lead is a metal that was once the primary type of plumbing pipe used to transport water. Laguna Beach first had water piped into the village in 1926. The pipes used were highly likely to have been lead as it was commonly used for plumbing purposes. Lead pipes are still in use and are more prevalent in homes that were built before 1991. Lead from pipes can leach into your water supply causing your water to be contaminated with lead. Laguna Beach Water District tests only 30 homes for lead contaminants. If the water is corrosive or “soft”, it will speed up the lead leaching process. Ultimately lead is predominantly found in pipes and plumbing materials leading up to your property. It is up to you to have your water tested or filtered.

Chlorine and Ammonia – Chlorine and ammonia are the substances that are most commonly used during the water decontamination process. The levels found in your drinking water are considered safe in the short term, but may have unintended consequences on your health in the long term. Most water districts advise people with health conditions to speak with their physician before consuming their water.

Pharmaceuticals – It was once advised to flush old medications down the toilet as a poison prevention method. While it seemed like great advice at the time, it has had unintended consequences. Water treatment facilities are not designed to filter out things such as pharmaceutical ingredients. Agricultural pharmaceuticals are a large contributor to groundwater pollution which makes its way into our water supply. Studies are just now starting to be conducted on how PPCP’s (Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products) impact our water sources.

Hexavalent Chromium – This is a heavy metal that has been detected in local wells and water municipalities around Laguna Beach. It is one of the most dangerous forms of pollutants found in drinking water. Exposure can cause sinus cancers, kidney damage, liver damage, and other forms of cancer. Contaminants levels are usually measured in parts per million, parts per billion, or parts per trillion. California maximum contaminant level for Hexavalent Chromium is 10 parts per billion. Areas around Laguna Beach have had levels that have tested up to 3.3 parts per billion. While this is below the maximum contaminant level required by the state of California, ideally you would want to consume water with no Hexavalent Chromium whatsoever. High quality water filtration systems will reduce the amount of toxic contaminants in your water.

Minerals – There are a large number of other naturally occurring minerals in water sources such as calcium and magnesium. Water that has a high volume of minerals is referred to as hard water. Laguna Beach water municipality tries to make sure their water does not have all of these minerals removed. That is due to the fact that “soft” water is more likely to cause corrosion of pipes. Pipe corrosion increases the likelihood of lead leaching from pipes into the water supply. Lead is a larger risk to your health than hard water. However, hard water can shorten the lifespan of your water heater and other water related appliances with your home. Additionally, hard water can aggravate skin conditions such as eczema and acne. Furthermore, it will accelerate the signs of aging and damage your hair. Removing minerals from your water once water has reached your home is the best way to improve the quality of your water. If you have questions about your water quality, don’t hesitate to reach out to Pristine Plumbing.