Water Quality

Water Quality

Water delivered by Hi-Desert Water District is clean and safe! The proof is in the hundreds of water quality tests performed each year by certified staff in our Water Quality and Production Department. Testing is conducted at well sites and numerous locations throughout the distribution system, and additionally when a well or any portion of a mainline is repaired.

Sample Analyzation

Water samples are collected weekly and analyzed by an independent, state-certified laboratory, and the results are sent to the District and the California Department of Health Services for review. Tests are run for regulated substances such as bacteria, nitrate, chromium, and others to make sure Hi-Desert Water District water meets all state and federal water quality standards.

With these rigorous testing procedures, the public is assured that the water delivered to their home is clean and safe. Each June, the District sends customers a water quality report detailing the tests and results.

Water Quality Reports

Hi-Desert Water District publishes an Annual Consumer Confidence Report based on the water quality test results reported annually to the State to ensure that all current drinking water standards are met. 

2024 Water Quality Report (PDF)

2023 Water Quality Report (PDF)

2022 Water Quality Report (PDF)

2021 Water Quality Report (PDF)

2020 Water Quality Report (PDF)

 2019 Water Quality Report (PDF)

 2018 Water Quality Report (PDF)

 2017 Water Quality Report (PDF)Backflow Device (JPG)

Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention

The term cross-connection refers to a condition where the public water system is exposed to contamination through a service connection to a private plumbing system or other source. Such contamination could occur if a private pump were to force water back into the public water system. This example is called back pressure.

Another condition, called back-siphonage, may occur when a water main breaks, or even under fire-fighting demands. In these situations, normal water pressure in the mains may turn to suction that can draw water from a private system into the public system. In this event, even a simple garden hose that may be filling a swimming pool or a backyard pond can become a source of potential contamination.

Backflow devices are required by state law where fire or irrigation services are installed. The device prevents back-siphonage and back-pressure into HDWD’s main water supply, protecting the water supply from cross-contamination.

Most multi-family and commercial properties in HDWD’s service area are required to have a backflow device.

All installed devices must be tested on an annual basis. Each year, customers will receive a reminder notice along with the previous year's certified tester information. Failure to have the device tested could result in the termination of service.

A list of certified testers is available upon request.

Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) and Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)

Lead is not in the drinking water, but can become present do to corrosion of older pipes and fixtures.  EPA first established the Lead and Copper Rule in 1991 to reduce exposure to lead and copper in water. The primary source of lead had been the corrosion of old service lines, fixtures, or plumbing.  The rule has been revised many times and the LCRR became effective December 16, 2021.  

Hi-Desert Water District has developed a Lead Service Line Inventory Work Plan to comply with the LCRR, which includes conducting records review, field visual investigations, and providing public access to the service line material upon request. A record search has been completed and services that were built before 1986 were identified. A large portion of the service laterals have already been replaced with polyethylene and copper pipe. The work plan outlines the steps to complete the service line inventory by utilizing a combination of pre-approved methods and alternate sampling methods, including stratified random samplings, for approval by the Department of Drinking Water.  The initial inventory was completed before October 16, 2024 and includes a record of materials for both the publicly-owned water system-side and the privately-owned customer-side of each sampled service line. A copy of the detailed service line inventory, you can download a copy by clicking on the link to the excel file below or email info@hdwd.com. 

Detailed Service Line Inventory - October 2024 Excel file
Detailed Service Line Inventory - October 2024 .pdf

The Department of Drinking Water has been reviewed and accepted. 

Non-Lead Written Statement – Stratified Random Sampling

Hi-Desert Water District has completed the initial lead service line inventory required by U.S. EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. The deadline for the initial inventories is October 16, 2024. 

Through completing a historical records review and field investigations, Hi-Desert Water District has determined it has no lead or galvanized requiring replacement service lines in its distribution system. This includes any privately-owned or customer-owned service lines.

Hi-Desert Water District reviewed all applicable sources of information, including: 

•    All construction and plumbing codes, permits, and existing records or other documentation which indicates the service line materials;

•    All water system records, including distribution system maps and drawings, historical records on each service connection, meter installation records, historical capital improvement or master plans, and standard operating procedures; and

•    All inspections and records of the distribution system that indicate service line material, including inspections conducted during the course of normal operations (e.g., checking service line materials when reading water meters or performing maintenance activities).  

In addition to reviewing the above sources of information, Hi-Desert Water District used an alternative method to develop the inventory that was approved by the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water on a case-by-case basis. 

Hi-Desert Water District used stratified random sampling to develop the initial inventory. Stratified random sampling involves physically verifying a subset of randomly selected service lines in the distribution system. That subset is stratified or divided into groups based on certain characteristics (e.g., years the service lines were installed). Stratification allows for a sample or subset of service lines to be more representative of the service lines in the distribution system. 

After investigating the subset of service lines, if no lead or galvanized requiring replacement service lines are discovered, the remaining service lines may be assumed non-lead with a certain level of confidence. Hi-Desert Water District verified approximately 600 service lines, and the service lines were verified non-lead and are copper, plastic or galvanized. No lead or galvanized requiring replacement service lines were identified. 

Hi-Desert Water District identified 160 homes built between 1930 and 1940. All were verified to not contain lead. The remaining 467 homes were randomly selected from homes built between 1950 and 1986, were also verified to be non-lead.

Hi-Desert Water District continues to document service line material information obtained from normal operations, such as service line maintenance or water meter readings, after October 2024 and will update the initial inventory accordingly.  

More information is available on the EPA website.