SMALL, AT-RISK SYSTEM RESILIENCE AND DRINKING WATER EQUITY
A
TARGET Reduce at-risk systems by 100%
B
Metric: Number of water systems classified as in the categories of acute performance concern/failing, severe performance concern, or moderate performance concern
TARGET Improve drinking water equity and affordability so that the cost for water to meet health and safety needs does not exceed 2.5% of the median household income (MHI) for severely disadvantaged communities Metric: Cost of 8 ccf of water versus 2.5% of the countywide MHI
C
TARGET Reduce color, taste, and odor drinking water quality issues by 50% Metric: Count of customer complaints per 1,000 connections about color, taste, and/ or odor
D
TARGET Maximize ability to meet health and safety needs following an emergency by confirming 100% of small water systems have access to alternative sources of supply Metric: Percent of small water systems that have access to at least one other secondary water supply
With over 200 water supply entities in Los Angeles County of various sizes and supply portfolios, not all systems are able to provide consistently high quality and reliable drinking water to their customers. Many small and at-risk systems serve disadvantaged communities and have limited resources and revenue potential to address water quality and quantity needs. While recognizing the differing costs of water by source, these targets aim for improvement in the equitability and affordability of water supply across Los Angeles County. Although maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are seldom exceeded for primary regulated constituents, there are several areas that regularly experience color, odor, and taste issues. Customer satisfaction is an elemental part of equitability and every resident in Los Angeles County should have access to high quality water, including an equitable standard of secondary MCLs. Many smaller, at-risk systems are also tied to one source of supply and have no real options if that source becomes impaired or is interrupted during an emergency, so connection to alternative sources of supply is key. 22 |
WATER PLAN
