DWP Issues Pamphlets on Water Safety

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, responding to growing reports over contaminated wells and what it called misleading information from home water filter salesmen, is mailing pamphlets to its 1.3 million customers assuring them that their tap water is safe.

More than 500,000 of the pamphlets have been included in the regular billings since the public relations program began March 7. All customers should receive one by May 5.

The decision to send out the small pamphlet, which contains questions and answers about the city’s water-testing procedures, safety standards and what causes ground water pollution, was made amid findings by the state Department of Health Services of toxic chemicals in the city’s San Fernando Valley wells, which provide 15% of the city’s water supply.

State Finds Toxics

Last week, for example, the state health department announced that it had completed a statewide testing program of wells. Of the 535 wells tested in Los Angeles County, 221, or 41%, were found to have at least traces of toxic chemicals and 46% of the contaminated wells had concentrations higher than recommended by the state. Almost all of the contaminated wells have either been shut down, or their water is being diluted with cleaner water before it is delivered to customers.

Despite the safeguards, DWP officials said, they are concerned about losing public confidence.

“We’re very concerned,” DWP water chief Duane Georgeson said Friday. “I think we have an obligation to step up our efforts when there’s so much media attention about the potential problem of contamination and the fact that people who are selling bottled water and treatment devices are from time to time undermining the public’s confidence in the tap water.”

“It’s clear to us there’s a push by . . . the manufacturers and sales people selling these devices and bottled water salesmen (and) there’s some indication that some of the sales people are a little over-zealous in terms of questioning the safety of the tap water,” Georgeson said.