Water

OEHHA performs major risk assessment and hazard evaluation activities relating to chemical contaminants in drinking water. These activities include developing health advisories, Public Health Goals for chemical substances in drinking water, Notification Levels, and providing toxicological assistance for chemical monitoring activities for the drinking water supply. The program also provides education to the public and other governmental agencies on drinking water contamination and drinking water regulatory standards development.

Public Health Goals

Level of a chemical contaminant in drinking water that does not pose a significant risk to health

Notices

Legal notices for Public Health Goals and Notification Levels

Notification Levels

Health-based advisory levels for chemicals in drinking water

Reports

Reports focusing on water

Human Right to Water

OEHHA’s assessment framework and data tool related to drinking water quality, accessibility, and affordability

Reports, Notices, Documents

Dec 30, 2022: Haloacetic Acids in Drinking Water
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency has adopted and published Public Health Goals (PHGs) for the five regulated haloacetic acids (HAAs) found in drinking water as a result of disinfection methods: monochloroacetic acid (MCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), monobromoacetic acid (MBA), and dibromoacetic acid (DBA).
Aug 19, 2022: Announcement of Availability of a Second Draft Technical Support Document for Proposed Public Health Goals for Haloacetic Acids in Drinking Water
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) of the California Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the release of a second draft document for public review describing proposed Public Health Goals (PHGs) for the five regulated haloacetic acids (HAAs) found in drinking water as a result of disinfection methods: monochloroacetic acid (MCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), monobromoacetic acid (MBA), and dibromoacetic acid (DBA)
Jun 16, 2022: Notice of Availability of Acute Notification Level Recommendations for Four Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board acute notification level recommendations for four cyanotoxins. Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, during algal blooms. These acute NL recommendations represent the recommended maximum concentrations that people can consume over a 24-hour period.
Feb 4, 2022: Health Risk Information for Public Health Goal Exceedance Reports
This document contains health risk information on regulated drinking water contaminants to assist public water systems in preparing these reports. NEW for the 2022 Report: New in this document are an updated Public Health Goal (PHG) for 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) and newly established PHGs for the trihalomethanes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform, and dibromochloromethane.

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