This is the notice that homeowners were given on Friday November 19, 2010

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable.
Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.
DRINKING WATER ADVISORY
Golden State Water Company’s Barstow Water
System which serves the City of Barstow and surrounding unincorporated areas exceeded perchlorate levels
DO NOT CONSUME ANY ICE, WATER, BEVERAGES OR FORMULA PREPARED WITH TAP WATER
This notice affects Golden State Water Company (GSWC) customers who are located in the City of Barstow and surrounding unincorporated areas.
On November 18, 2010, GSWC was notified by personnel at the USMC Nebo Supply Base that samples taken from the base’s water distribution system showed levels of perchlorate above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 6 parts per billion. GSWC immediately sampled water from the distribution system outside the base on November 18 and collected samples from all active wells serving the Barstow system on November 19.
The samples from November 18 indicated that perchlorate was above the MCL of 6 parts per billion. Samples collected on November 19, 2010 from all active wells will help GSWC to pinpoint the source(s) of the perchlorate.
What should I do? DO NOT CONSUME ANY ICE, BEVERAGES, JUICE OR FORMULA PREPARED WITH TAP WATER
Perchlorate has been shown to interfere with uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland, and to thereby reduce the production of thyroid hormones, leading to adverse effects associated with inadequate hormone levels. Thyroid hormones are needed for normal prenatal growth and development of the fetus, as well as for normal growth and development in the infant and child. In adults, thyroid hormones are needed for normal metabolism and mental function. Women who smoke and have low iodine intake appear to be particularly susceptible.
CA Department of Public Health
Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the perchlorate level. Excessive boiling can make the perchlorate more concentrated because perchlorate remains behind when the water evaporates.
What happened? What is being done? Perchlorate is an inorganic chemical often used in solid rocket propellant, fireworks, explosives, flares, matches, and a variety of industries. It usually gets into drinking water as a result of environmental contamination from historic aerospace or other industrial operations that used or use, store, or dispose of perchlorate and its salts.
Golden State Water Company is aggressively investigating our water system to determination the source of contamination so that it can be eliminated. We will keep you updated on our investigation on a regular basis.
For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 999-4033. Our Mailing Address is: 13608 Hitt Road, Apple Valley CA 92308.
Please share this information with all the 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 public notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Secondary Notification Requirements Upon receipt of notification from a person operating a public water system, the following notification must be given within 10 days [Health and Safety Code Section 116450(g)]: SCHOOLS: Must notify school employees, students, and parents (if the 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 of businesses located on the property.
This notice is being sent to you by Golden State Water Company State Water System ID#: 3610043 Date distributed: November 19, 2010.