he City of Hayward is pleased to present the 2005 Water Quality Report(Consumer ConfidenceReport) to let customers know where

Hayward drinking water comes from, how it is treated, the results of waterquality monitoring, and other important information about water quality.

The City of Hayward purchases all of its water from the San FranciscoPublic Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The results of water quality monitoring by the SFPUC and City of Hayward confirm that the waterdelivered to Hayward customers in 2005 met or exceeded all state and federal standards. Important information about the contaminants that weredetected in the drinking water in 2005 can be found in this report.

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF OUR DRINKING WATER ?

SFPUC is the sole supplier of water to Hayward. The Hetch Hetchy watershed, an area located in Yosemite National Park, provides the majority ofwater delivered by SFPUC to Hayward. Spring snow melt runs down theTuolumne River and is stored in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

SFPUC provides a small amount of water from the Alameda watershed,which is located in the East Bay and stored in the Calaveras and San AntonioReservoirs. The two local reservoirs hold rain, local runoff, and some HetchHetchy water. This surface water source is supplemented by a small amountof ground water from Sunol Filter Galleries near the town of Sunol.

IS OUR WATER FILTERED AND TREATED ?The Hetch Hetchy reservoir water supply meets all federal and state

requirements for watershed protection, disinfection treatment, bacteriologi-cal quality, and operational standards. As a result, the U.S.EnvironmentalProtection Agency and the California Department of Health Services have

granted the Hetch Hetchy water supply an exemption from filtrationrequirements. SFPUC monitors theHetch Hetchy watershed weather conditions, water turbidity levels,microbial contaminants, and aque-duct disinfection levels, and complieswith reporting requirements. Thisenables SFPUC to maintain a filtration exemption for the HetchHetchy source.

That portion of the water that isstored locally in the Calaveras and SanAntonio reservoirs, including stored

Hetch Hetchy water, is treated and filtered. The Hayward Water System added fluoride to water through October, when SFPUC initiated regional fluoridation.

In 2000, the SFPUC prepared a Drinking Water Source Assessment andProtection Program. The SFPUC watersheds are vulnerable to contaminantsassociated with wildlife and, to a limited extent, human recreational activityHistorically, levels of contaminants have been very low in the watersheds.The full Drinking Water Source Assessment and Protection Program may beviewed at the Hayward City Hall, Department of Public Works.

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WHO SHOULD SEEK ADVICE ABOUT DRINKING WATER ?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoingchemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, as wellas some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These individuals should seek advice about drinkingwater from their health care providers. USEPA/Centers for DiseaseControl (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the riskof infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminantsare available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at www.epa.gov/safewater.

HOW DO DRINKING WATER SOURCESBECOME POLLUTED ?

Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) typically include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs,and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or throughthe ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, and, in somecases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resultingfrom the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in the source water include:

●Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, that maycome from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agriculturallivestock operations and wildlife.

● Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

●Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety ofsources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.

●Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic andvolatile organic chemicals, that are byproducts of industrialprocesses and petroleum production, and can also come fromgas stations, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural applicationand septic systems.

●Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring orbe the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, USEPA andthe California Department of Health Services prescribe regulationsthat limit the amount of certain contaminants in water providedby public water systems. Department regulations also establishlimits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide thesame protection for public health.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONThe Hayward City Council is the governing authority of the

Hayward Water System.The City Council meets at 8:00 p.m. onthe first four Tuesday evenings ofthe month at the Hayward CityHall. The San Francisco PublicUtilities Commission (SFPUC) isthe governing authority of thewholesale water supplier toHayward. The SFPUC meets onthe second and fourth Tuesdaysof the month at 1:30 p.m. at theSan Francisco City Hall, Room400. The public is invited to participate in these meetings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

If you would like more information about Hetch Hetchywater or water quality monitoring, please contact the SFPUCWater Quality Bureau at 877-737-8297 or visit its website atwww.sfwater.org. For information about the City of HaywardWater Distribution System, please call the City of Hayward at510-583-4727 or visit www.hayward-ca.gov.

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre suagua beber. Tradúzcalo ó hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

WATER QUALITY DATA

The tables below and on the following page provide important information about contaminants that were detected in the water in 2005.You may be unfamiliar with the terms and abbreviations, so here are definitions to help you understand the water quality summary:

Contaminants listed in the following tables were detected in 2005 drinking water samples. The tables contain the name of each substance, the highest level allowed by regulation (MCL), if applicable, the ideal goal for public health (PHG), if applicable, the amountdetected, typical sources of the contamination, a key to the units of measurement, and notes to explain the findings. Laboratory staff analyzed the water samples for other contaminants. These contaminants, including MTBE, perchlorate, herbicides and pesticides, were not detected.

● Primary Drinking Water Standard: MCLs for contaminantsthat affect health, along with their monitoring and reportingrequirements, and water treatment requirements.

● Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level ofa contaminant in drinking water below which there is noknown or expected risk to health. MCLGs are set by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency.

● Public Health Goal (PHG): The level of a contaminant indrinking water below which there is no known or expectedrisk to health. PHGs are set by the California EnvironmentalProtection Agency.

● Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level ofa contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. PrimaryMCLs are set as close to the PHGs (or MCLGs) as is economically and technologically feasible.

● Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended toreduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

● Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL):The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that maynot be exceeded at the consumer’s tap.

● Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG):The level of a disinfectant added for water treatment belowwhich there is no known or expected risk of health.MRDLGs are set by the U.S. EPA.

● Regulatory Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

● Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL):Standards set by the U.S EPA/California Department ofHealth Services to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.

PRIMARY DRINKING WATER STANDARDSMandatory Health-Related Standards

(See key and notes on next page)

DETECTED CONTAMINANTS Unit MCL PHG Range Average Typical Sources in Drinking Water(MCLG) (Maximum)

TURBIDITY (1) (SFPUC Treated Water)

Unfiltered Hetch Hetchy Water NTU TT = 5 NS 0.25 - 1.0 (2) (1.74) (3) Soil Runoff

Filtered Water -Sunol Valley WTP (4) NTU TT = 1 NS - (0.27) Soil Runoff

% 95% < 0.3 NS 100% (5) - Soil Runoff

ORGANIC CHEMICALS

DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS AND PRECURSORS (SFPUC Regional System)

Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 NS 11 - 71 (38) (6) By-product of drinking water chlorination

Total Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 NS 6 - 47 (24) (6) By-product of drinking water chlorination

Total Organic Carbon (7) ppm NS NS 0.9 - 3.0 2.3 Various natural and man-made sources

DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS (City of Hayward Distribution System)

Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 NS 36.9 - 52.9 (44.0) (6) By-product of drinking water chlorination

Total Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 NS 22.1 - 34.0 (29.2) (6) By-product of drinking water chlorination

MICROBIOLOGICAL (City of Hayward Distribution System)

Total Coliform % 5 (8) (0) 0 - 0.8 (9) 0.2 (9) Naturally present in the environment

INORGANIC CHEMICALS

Aluminum ppb 1000 600 6 - 70 38 Erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride (10) ppm 2 1 0.04 - 1.2 0.77 Water additives that promote strong teeth

DISINFECTANT RESIDUALS (City of Hayward Distribution System)

Chlorine (11) ppm MRDL=4 MRDLG=4 1.1 - 2.7 2.3 Drinking water disinfectant added for treatment

LEAD AND COPPER RULE STUDY (City of Hayward Tap Water)

Unit AL (12) PHG Range 90th Typical Sources in Drinking WaterPercentile

Copper ppb 1300 170 1.3 - 126 69 (13) Corrosion of household plumbing systems

Lead ppb 15 2 <1 - 11.8 2.8 (13) Corrosion of household plumbing systems

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA

Cryptosporidium and Giardia, parasitic microbes found inmost surface water supplies, can pose a potential health threat. Ifswallowed, either may produce symptoms of diarrhea, stomachcramps, upset stomach, and slight fever. Some people, includingthose with compromised immune systems, are more vulnerable toCryptosporidium and Giardia than others and should seek adviceabout drinking water from their health care providers. TheSFPUC tests regularly for Cryptosporidium and Giardia in bothsource and treated water supplies. In 2005, very low levels ofCryptosporidium and Giardia were occasionally detected in treated water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably beexpected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants,including Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The presence of smallamounts of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that thewater poses a health risk. More information about contaminantsand potential health effects may be obtained by calling the U.S.EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

In 2004, the City of Hayward tested for lead in the tap waterof 61 residences. All samples were below the Action Level of 15parts per billion. Lead sampling is required every three years.

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable tolead in drinking water than the general population. It is possiblethat lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homesin the community as a result of materials used in your home’splumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in yourwater, you may wish to have your water tested. You can also letwater run through the faucet for 30 seconds to 2 minutes beforeusing the water and always use cold water for cooking to reducelead concentrations. Additional information is available from theU.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

SECONDARY MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELSConsumer Acceptance Limits

Detected Contaminant Unit SMCL Range Average Typical Sources in Drinking Water:

Chloride ppm 500 <3 - 25 9 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits

Color unit 15 <5 -25 (14) 12 Naturally-occurring organic materials

Specific Conductance µS/cm 1600 25 - 435 155 Substances that form ions when in water

Sulfate ppm 500 1 - 42 19 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits

Total Dissolved Solids ppm 1000 20 - 210 116 Runoff/leaching from natural deposits

Turbidity NTU 5 0.09 - 049 0.24 Soil runoff

WATER CONSERVATIONThere are many ways to conserve water. Here are five key actions that you cantake to reduce water use and your water bill.

1. Check for leaks from your plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems. Studiesshow that an average 10% of water use in homes may be due to leaks.

2. Replace your old toilet. If your existing toilet was installed before 1992, it islikely not a water-efficient 1.6 gallons per flush model. Older model toiletsare the largest water users in most homes.

3. Replace your existing clothes washer with an Energy StarTM rated model tosave on both water and energy.

4. Select outdoor plants that are appropriate to the local climate conditionsand require less water.

5. Give your plants only the water they need.

To learn more about these and many other water-saving ideas, visit:

www.H2ouse.org

OTHER WATER QUALITY PARAMETERSParameter Unit AL Range Average

Alkalinity (as CaCO3) ppm NS 6 - 150 54

Boron ppb 1000 16 - 168 73

Calcium ppm NS 3 - 30 16

Fluoride - Source Water ppm NS <0.1 - 0.2 0.1

Hardness (as CaCO3) ppm NS 8 - 150 56

Magnesium ppm NS <0.5 - 12.3 6.6

pH unit NS 7.6 - 9.8 8.9

Potassium ppm NS <0.5 - 1.4 0.8

Silica ppm NS 4.4 - 7.2 6.3

Sodium ppm NS 3 - 26 15

NOTES(1) Turbidity is the water clarity indicator; it also indicates the quality of the water

and the treatment system efficiency.

(2) Turbidity is measured every four hours. These are monthly average turbidities.

(3) This is a single maximum measuring result.

(4) For filtered supplies, the following two turbidity standards apply: turbidity should

be less than 0.3 NTU at least 95% of the time; and 1 NTU maximum.

(5) This is the percent of time that the filtered water had turbidity of less than

0.3 NTU.

(6) Compliance is based on 4-quarter running average. Reported maximum is the

highest quarterly running annual average value in 2005.

(7) Total Organic Carbon is a precursor for disinfection byproducts formation.

(8) Percent of monthly samples that are positive.

(9) Percent of monthly samples that are positive in Hayward tap water.

(10) Hayward added fluoride to drinking water through October 2005. In November,

SFPUC initiated regional fluoridation.

(11) Water is disinfected with chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia.

Residual chlorine is measured.

(12) The 90th percentile level of lead or copper must be less than the action level.

(13) In 2004, 0 out of 61 sampled residences exceeded the Action Level at consumer

taps. Lead and copper sampling is required every three years.

(14) The sample collected from Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant on 7/16/2005 had

a color result above the SMCL. There is no health effect due to this exceedance.

KEY TO UNITS OF MEASUREMENTNTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit,

which is a measurement of the clarity of water

ppb Parts per billion (or micrograms perliter), which is equivalent to one penny in $10,000,000.

ppm Parts per million (or milligrams perliter), which is equivalent to one penny in $10,000.

NS No standard has been identified.< Less than the stated detection limit.µS/cm MicroSiemens per centimeter.

SAVE WATER -SAVE MONEY

SAVE WATER -SAVE MONEY