Marin Water Quality



The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) provides drinking water to southern and central and 75% of the water supply comes from Mt. Tamalpais protected watershed. The protected watershed consists of forested land or underdeveloped rural property. Rainfall flows from these lands into the seven reservoirs. Then the water is treated in one of two water treatment plants and piped in over 900 miles of underground pipes to storage tanks and into our homes and businesses in Marin County. The remaining twenty five percent of Marin's water supply comes from Sonoma County Water Agency collected in Lake Sonoma, Lake Mendicino, and the Russian River. This water is treated in Marin's third water treatment facility. Contaminants detected in the water are at in average ranges including coliform bacteria, copper, lead, haloacetic acids, trihalomethanes, and chloramines. 

Trihalomethanes are a group of chemicals that are bi-products from chlorine used to treat water and organic compounds found in the water. Trihalomethanes (THMs) in high concentrations have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes and an increase in cancer risk. A new study suggests that dermal absorption and inhalation of THMs from everyday tap water can lead to an increase in THMs blood concentration at higher levels than recommended. I would have to admit that the presence of THMs in my tap water does not make me feel real comfortable drinking it or having my family drink or bathe in this kind of water.

We use a water filter for drinking at the kitchen sink that filters out chlorine, but I am curious if it filters out THMs.

I usually do not buy bottled water because I do not like purchasing more plastic waste. Additionally, I don't want to consume the plastic chemicals that can seep into the bottled water. I used to buy bottled water at the gym because it was cold and refreshing. I would justify the purchase by telling myself that I would recycle the bottle later, but now that I know that my bottle may be shipped across the world to be dumped, I won't be doing that anymore. 

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