Rio Linda, CA—The Rio Linda Elverta Community Water District (RLECWD) has issued a notice to customers regarding hexavalent chromium levels in the drinking water that exceed the new state standard. Water sample results received on September 15, 2025, showed a level of 0.012 milligrams per liter (12 ppb), which is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.010 milligrams per liter (10 ppb). The new hexavalent chromium MCL became effective on October 1, 2024.
The district stressed that this is not an emergency and that residents do not need to use an alternative water supply. However, it noted that some people who consume water with hexavalent chromium in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of cancer.
What the District is Doing to Address the Issue
The RLECWD is working with the State Water Resources Control Board to address the exceedance and comply with the MCL within a specified timeline. The district has already completed a Hexavalent Chromium Compliance Plan which is currently under review by the State Water Resources Control Board. The plan details the steps the district will take to achieve compliance. According to the notice, the RLECWD anticipates resolving the issue by May 2026.
Key actions the district is taking include:
- Mitigation Projects: A hexavalent chromium mitigation project at Well 16 has been operational since June 2021. A second project, which involves treatment facilities at Well 15, is in the design phase and is anticipated to be completed in May 2026. As new water sources with less than 10 ppb hexavalent chromium are put into service, existing sources that exceed the limit will be transitioned to emergency standby status.
- Staffing: The district has transitioned from employing only licensed Distribution System Operators to also employing operators who hold Water Treatment Operator licenses.
- Compliance Timeline: While hexavalent chromium was detected at levels that exceed the MCL, a water system of the district’s size is not considered in violation of the MCL until after October 2027.
For More Information
Residents who have questions or concerns can contact Timothy R. Shaw, the General Manager, at (916) 991-8891, or by email at GM@RLECWD.COM.
The district’s office is located at 730 L St, Rio Linda, CA. The notice, dated October 13, 2025, will be sent to customers by the RLECWD.
The RLECWD is requesting that property owners and managers, including those of schools and residential rental properties, notify their tenants, employees, and students of this notice within ten days of receipt. Failure to do so can result in a civil liability of up to $1,000 per day.
