Water Quality

Water quality is another key issue and becoming more so as demand for water increases.  The local water is well within the drinking water standards set by the Department of Health Services and is considered by both locals and visitors to be of superior quality.  Some of the factors that lend to the superior quality of the local water are:

• low sodium content;
  

• low nitrate levels;
  

• soft water due to low levels of calcium carbonate;
  

• average fluoride concentration of 1.39 parts per million (ppm.)

When discussing water quality in the Twentynine Palms area, fluoride content in the local drinking water has always been an issue that merits attention.  High concentrations of fluoride in some of the local water sources was one of the factors that required the District to begin taking action to improve the local water system in the early 1980's through the District Master Plan.

Local ground water has widely varying levels of naturally-occurring fluoride, depending upon the water's source; the more easterly the source; the higher the concentration of fluoride.  These levels, when averaged out, maintain an overall District fluoride level of less than 1.4 ppm.

The California Department of Health Services allows for a fluoride level of only 2 ppm, while federal regulations in other areas allow up to 4 ppm in potable water.  Because ground water is the sole source of supply to the Twentynine Palms area, the California State Department of Health has granted the District a variance which allows for a fluoride level of up to 3 ppm (75% of acceptable federal levels).  Even with this variance, it is the District's long-term goal to maintain fluoride levels of not more than 2 ppm.

Testing

In order to provide and maintain the highest standard of healthful drinking water possible, the District employs a stringent testing schedule for all local water sources, based upon state and federal monitoring and quality regulations.  This testing is conducted weekly for bacteria and fluoride, annually for radioactivity, and every three years for pesticides, minerals, inorganic substances, clarity, taste and odor.

How can you protect our water quality?

• Use and dispose of household chemicals with care.
  

• Reduce or eliminate herbicide and pesticide application.
  

• Recycle used oil.
  

• Keep pollutants away from boat marinas and water ways.

Use and Dispose of Household Chemicals with Care

Household chemicals can pollute our water supply if we do not use them correctly and dispose of them properly. If they are flushed down the drain, they may end up in our groundwater. And if they are thrown into the garbage and hauled to a landfill, they may be leached, over time, into the soil and water surrounding the landfill.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

• Pesticides, fungicides, weed killers, pool chemicals.
  

• Ammonia-based cleaners, bleach-based cleaners, aerosol sprays, polishes, fluorescent lamps, nail polish and remover, medications and syringes.
  

• Anti-freeze, oil and filters, gasoline, wax and polishes, auto batteries, engine cleaners, brake fluid.
  

• Paint (all kinds), paint thinners, wood preservatives, glues and adhesives, solvents, photo chemicals.

What can I do to dispose of hazardous waste properly?

• Do not throw it in the trash, take it to a hazardous waste collection facility.

Facts About Your Water

Availability

A long-term supply of high quality water is crucial to the existence and quality of life of the community.  Through the use of quality engineering and a modern treatment plant, the District can transform the vast amounts of non-potable water on the north side of the Pinto Mountain fault (from the Mesquite Springs aquifer) into potable water for the community.  More information regarding the District's water demand and availability can be found in the Urban Water Management Plan (Adobe PDF) and the Groundwater Management Plan (Adobe PDF).

Source

The water demand in the Twentynine Palms Water District is met entirely by local ground water extractions from four sub-basins south of the Pinto Mountain Fault.  These sub-basins are supplied by rainfall in the upper reaches of the Joshua Tree National Park percolating from the Pinto Mountains.  The four sub-aquifers are located deep within the ground in the Indian Cove, Forty-nine Palms, Eastern basin, and Mesquite Springs areas.  Water is pumped from these sub-aquifers and delivered by a pipeline system.   Water pumped from the Mesquite Springs subaquifer is treated to remove high levels of fluoride before being distributed into the pipeline system.  The Indian Cove subbasin contains seven wells, the Fortynine Palms subbasin contains two wells, the Eastern subbasin contains two wells (one of which is non-potable), and the Mesquite Springs subbasin contains one well.

Storage

Water storage capacity is a crucial issue anywhere and especially in a desert community.  In the event of an emergency (such as a power outage) stored water would be the main, if not only, source of water available to meet the community's fire protection and personal-use needs.  Prior to 1895, the local water storage capacity for the Twentynine Palms Water District amounted to 3.08 million gallons of water, stored in four reservoirs.  Based upon criteria for storage requirements in an emergency, this quantity of water would have lasted no more than three days.  Today, the District's water storage capacity amounts to approximately 17 million gallons housed in 11 storage reservoirs strategically located throughout the District.  In this same emergency situation, employing stringent conservation principles, the community would be assured of having a supply of water for a minimum of 15 days.