Water Quality Monitoring

Water Quality Monitoring 

Water quality refers to the amount and nature of the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water. The District has been monitoring several constituents of concern in surface and groundwater supplies for many years in order to provide water customers with accurate information that may affect how they use both surface and groundwater supplies, and to comply with government regulations. 

Boron

Boron is an important constituent in both the ground and surface water supplies within the District’s service area. High levels of boron are naturally found in the Cache Creek watershed, and the District and its predecessors have been monitoring boron levels since 1930. Tiny amounts of boron are necessary for plant growth, but too much boron is toxic to boron-sensitive crops. Boron toxicity can manifest in several ways including stunting plant growth, misshapen fruit, lesions, and leaf browning. In the District’s service area, young walnut, almond, and citrus trees are the most common crops potentially affected by excess boron.