Important Information Regarding the State’s Chromium-6 (Cr-6) Notification

The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) is committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water to all of our customers. Recently, the State of California required all water systems with a Chromium-6 (Cr-6) detection above the State’s new standard to issue a notice to every customer, even if only a small portion of the system was affected (see map).

Map provided for general reference only. The highlighted area represents an approximate portion of the District’s service area associated with Chromium-6 monitoring and notification requirements.

Why You Received a Notice

The State of California established a new Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Chromium-6 at 10 parts per billion (ppb), a standard that is far more restrictive than the federal level, which regulates total chromium (all forms combined) at 100 ppb. California and New Jersey are currently the only two states in the nation with a separate Chromium-6 standard.

Although this new State regulation is currently being challenged in court, it is in effect. Because one of BCVWD’s 23 groundwater wells tested slightly above the State’s new MCL (11 ppb), the State required that we send this notice to all customers. If we failed to do so, the District could face fines of up to $1,000 per day, even though only a small portion of the District’s water sources are impacted.

Our Position and Response

BCVWD has consistently voiced concern over this unfunded State mandate and has emphasized the significant financial burden it places on public water agencies and their ratepayers. Despite this, we are taking proactive steps to comply with State requirements while minimizing costs to our customers.

We have:

• Adjusted our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to include projects that address the State’s concerns.
• Submitted a Hexavalent Chromium Compliance Plan to the State Water Resources Control Board outlining a blended approach that combines new low-Cr-6 well development and the conversion of certain wells to non-potable use.
• Prioritized cost-effective solutions that continue to provide safe and reliable water while maintaining fiscal responsibility

Our Water Remains Safe and of High Quality

It’s important to note that:

• This is not an emergency, your water remains safe to drink.
• BCVWD’s water consistently meets or exceeds federal drinking water standards.
• There has been no change in the District’s water quality; the notice is based solely on the State’s new definition of acceptable Chromium-6 levels.
• BCVWD performs hundreds of water quality tests each year, month, week, and day to ensure that your water remains clean, reliable, and of exceptional quality.

Our Annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), available on our website, provide detailed information about all testing results and water quality metrics.

In Summary

We understand that the wording of the State-required notice may cause unnecessary concern. Please be assured that:

• The District’s water is high quality, and the exceedance is limited and well within natural variation.
• No immediate action is required by customers.
• BCVWD continues to take a proactive, responsible approach to ensure compliance while advocating for reasonable, science-based, and financially sustainable regulations for our community.

For additional information, please contact James Bean, Director of Operations, at (951) 845-9581 or send an email to info@bcvwd.gov.