REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the City of Sunnyvale's 2025 Public Health Goal Report on Water Quality (2022 - 2024) and Direct Staff to File the Report with the California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water
Report
BACKGROUND
California Health and Safety Code section 11647 requires all water retailers in California serving more than 10,000 service connections to prepare a report every three years if any water quality constituents exceeded Public Health Goals (PHGs) or federal Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs).
Understanding PHGs, MCLGs, and MCLs
* PHGs (Public Health Goals) are non-enforceable health-based goals set by California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).
* MCLGs (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals) are similar non-enforceable goals established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and apply only when there is no corresponding California PHG.
* MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Levels) are enforceable limits set by the USEPA or California's Division of Drinking Water (DDW). Water systems must comply with MCLs, and violations can lead to penalties, orders, or facility closures.
Unlike MCLs, PHGs and MCLGs are based solely on public health considerations and do not account for treatment technology or cost. They are not governing standards and do not require compliance by public water systems, however reporting is required as noted above.
Public Hearing Requirement
Public water systems must hold a public hearing to present and discuss the PHG report. This can be done during a regularly scheduled Council meeting. The report is now being presented to the Council to meet this requirement and to obtain approval before submitting the report to the State Water Resources Control Board's Division of Drinking Water (DDW).
EXISTING POLICY
Goal EM-4 Adequate Water Quality: Ensure that all water meets state & federal standards for aesthetics, quality and health.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval o...
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