IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER - Manganese Levels Above the Response Level
June 26, 2026
Dear LASSEN COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 1 CUSTOMERS,
Este aviso contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable, por favor lea el aviso en español si va aquí incluido. Si el aviso en español no va incluido aquí, contacte al sistema de agua para pedir una copia.
As of June 2, 2026, the State Water Resources Control Board lowered the notification level for manganese to 0.05 mg/L and the response level to 0.20 mg/L.
Our water system recently confirmed concentration of manganese above the public health-based response level of 0.20 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The response level is a health-based level in which action, such as public notification, source treatment, or a source being taken offline, is required to reduce public exposure. Exposure to concentrations of manganese above the response level may cause neurological impacts in formula-fed infants.
Lassen County Waterworks District No. 1 has historically had elevated levels of manganese in our water supply. Our most recent sampling confirms that manganese levels remain above the State’s response level of 0.20 mg/L and notification level of 0.05 mg/L.
- Well No. 1 sample collected on March 16, 2025: 0.51 mg/L
- Well No. 2 sample collected on March 16, 2025: 0.34 mg/L
Both results exceed the State Water Board’s response level of 0.20 mg/L.
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Division of Drinking Water (DDW) information for manganese can be found at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/Manganese.html
What does this mean?
Exposure to manganese concentrations above the response level may cause neurological impacts in formula-fed infants. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to address it.
What should I do?
- Formula-fed infants: The State Water Board recommends using an alternative water source (such as bottled water) when preparing formula for infants.
- If you have other health concerns regarding your children consuming this water, you may wish to consult your doctor.
- For all other consumers: There is no immediate health concern, and you do not need to use an alternative water supply.
What is being done?
Our current plan is to seek grant funding to have a preliminary engineering report prepared. This report will evaluate alternatives for complying with the manganese standard, propose a preferred alternative for compliance, and provide a cost estimate for the preferred alternative. Our plan is to obtain a grant to design and construct the preferred alternative identified. We anticipate it will take several years to complete such a project.
In addition, we are increasing our monitoring frequency for manganese from every nine years to every 3 years to better track water quality. We will provide updates as we make progress on the planning grant and any interim measures.
For more information, please contact:
Kody Smith, General Manager
Lassen County Waterworks District No. 1
Phone: (530) 278-6476
Email: info@lcwd1.org
Secondary Notification Requirements
You must share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or by mail.
This notice must be given to the following affected consumers and remain posted until manganese levels are consistently below the response level:
- Schools: Must notify school employees, students, and parents (if students are minors).
- Residential rental property owners or managers (including nursing homes and care facilities): Must notify tenants.
- Business property owners, managers, or operators: Must notify employees.
This notice is being sent to you by Lassen County Waterworks District No. 1.
State Water System Number: CA1810003
Date Distributed: 06/26/2026
Sincerely,
Kody Smith
General Manager
Lassen County Waterworks District No. 1
