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Where does Riverside's drinking water come from? |
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Most of Riverside’s water is groundwater pumped from wells in the Bunker Hill and San Bernardino Basins. Additional water is purchased from the Western Municipal Water District (WMWD). WMWD is a customer of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) who obtains their water from Northern California rivers and imports it via the State Water Project. |
| How much water is used daily in Riverside? |
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On average RPU customers use 70 million gallons of water each day! |
| Is Riverside water safe to drink? |
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YES. The water delivered by the Utility to your water meter meets all state and federal drinking water standards. It is safe to use without further treatment. Water customers are responsible for plumbing and treatment devices installed on their properties. |
Sub-standard, illegal, old, improperly installed and/or improperly maintained plumbing, or water treatment devices may negatively affect the water quality before it comes out of the water faucets at your home or business. |
A list of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved water treatment devices and plumbing materials is available by calling the NSF at (800) 673-8010. |
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| How does RPU test the water? |
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Each year RPU takes more than 17,000 samples to test for more than 200 possible contaminants in our water system. Samples are collected at water sources along transmission pipelines throughout the distribution system, including reservoirs and booster stations, and the seven regional treatment plants. RPU uses state certified independent laboratories to perform these water tests. This ensures that an independent set of experts test your water from the source to your meter and tap. |
| How is water quality measured? |
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RPU's own well water, and the imported water from WMWD, are of the highest quality. While water quality is measured by chemical and biological analysis, taste is determined by mineral content and the disinfectant process used. RPU uses chlorine to disinfect its water. WMWD uses chloramines most of the time and chlorine part of the year. For more information about your water quality, call Environmental Services Coordinator Adam Ly at (951) 351-6331. |
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| Why is disinfectant added to the water? |
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Disinfectants, such as chlorine and chloramines, stop bacteria from growing in water pipelines. |
| Is water with chlorine and/or chloramines
safe for kidney
dialysis patients to drink? |
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Yes it is safe for kidney dialysis patients to drink. Because the digestive process neutralizes the disinfectants before they reach the bloodstream, water with one or both those disinfectants is safe to drink for most everyone - including people with diabetes, people on low-sodium diets, pregnant women, children, infants, pets, and birds.
In the dialysis process, however, chlorine and chloramines are toxic in dialysis water and must be removed from the water used in kidney dialysis machines. Individuals on kidney dialysis machines with questions should contact their healthcare provider.
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| Do I need to treat the water before
I use it for my fish? |
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YES. Drinking water produced by nearly all water agencies contains disinfectants to inhibit bacterial growth. These disinfectants can kill fish. Riverside uses chlorine, while water imported from WMWD at various times uses chlorine or chloramines, which are a compound of chlorine and ammonia.
Both disinfectants can be neutralized by adding the appropriate chemicals, which are available at most pet stores. Both disinfectants can also be removed with a granular activated carbon (GAC) water filter. Chlorine, but not chloramines, can be removed from the water by letting a container of the water sit exposed to the atmosphere (uncovered) for at least 48 hours.
RPU strongly recommends customers with aquariums or fish ponds should check with their local tropical fish store for more information and use special water treatments that remove BOTH chlorine and chloramine and ALWAYS treat the water BEFORE adding new water to an aquarium or pond.
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| Who should I call if I have a problem
with my drinking
water? |
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Riverside Public Utilities wants to know if you have a problem with your water. For water emergencies, please call (951) 782-0330. For water quality questions or concerns, please call Adam Ly at (951) 351-6331. For all other non-emergency questions, call our Customer Service department at (951) 782-0330. |
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| Where can I get more information about
my drinking water? |
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RPU is the best local source of information about your tap water. For additional information about Riverside’s water, how it's treated, where it comes from, and many other things Click Here (link to BlueRiverside.com).
You may also view our Water Quality Reports here.
You will find additional information about drinking water quality from the following agencies:
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