Hillcrest water tests reveal drop in arsenic

Recent tests of Hillcrest water showed it was under federal arsenic limits —meaning no notification letters for residents.

"As of right now, the system is still in compliance," said Yuba City Utilities Director Bill Lewis.

There were concerns in the last few months that the Hillcrest Region 2/3 water was going to test consistently high for arsenic —high enough that residents would be sent state-mandated notification letters.

But October tests showed arsenic concentrations of 7.6 parts per billion, lower than July readings of 12 parts per billion.

If readings had continued to trend higher —at least nine parts per billion —the rolling average would have likely been high enough to require the state-mandated letters for arsenic, said Lewis.

It would have been up to the state Department of Health to require the city to issue the letters.

The state is now requiring monthly tests rather than quarterly tests. Results from the last test in November were not available.

Lewis said that more chemicals are being added to the water to get it under the federal limits of 10 parts per billion for arsenic. The use of more chemicals will shorten the life of the groundwater plant filters, decrease Yuba City water output and pressure and may result in brown water, he said.

Raw, untreated Hillcrest water has seen arsenic levels this year from 30 to 70 parts per billion.

Arsenic levels over federal standards have prompted to the city to propose a nearly $20-per-month surcharge for Hillcrest Region 1,2,3 residents without meters. The surcharge would pay for costs of connecting 3,000 homes to the city's main water system which takes water from the Feather River.

A Proposition 218 protest hearing is set for 4 p.m. Nov. 24 at Lincrest Elementary School, 1400 Phillips Road, marking the end of a period when residents can oppose the surcharge. More than half of the homeowners or utility payers have to oppose the surcharge or else it will go into effect.

Some residents have opposed the surcharge, while others have said they would rather pay it and get city surface water.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter John Dickey at 749-4711 or jdickey@appealdemocrat.com