Cut to the Chase
The purpose of an annual water quality report is to cut to the chase. To get to the point about drinking water safety.

But like the origin of the saying "cut to the chase" and its common meaning today, the water quality report has taken on new meaning over time.

The phrase "cut to the chase" originated with the film industry. Many early silent films of the late 1920s ended in chase sequences, and thus, script references of "cut to the chase" meant just that.

It wasn't until the 1940s when the phrase was co-opted to mean get to the point.

When the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated that community water systems prepare and provide their customers with annual reports on the quality of the water delivered by their systems. The intent was to provide consumers with information that would allow them to make health-based decisions regarding their consumption of tap water.

What started as a rule, with very strict requirements down to the way things were actually worded, has evolved into a broader education piece in some water communities. This is the case for Metropolitan. And, this year's report really gets back to basics and cuts to the chase with Metropolitan's message: that all water we serve meets or exceeds state and federal drinking water requirements. Metropolitan provides drinking water that is safe, healthy and tastes good.

The centerpiece of this year's report is a detailed chart summarizing year-round testing and monitoring of water in 2006. It lists the level at which contaminants were found in the water alongside the maximum allowable levels. A Readers Guide walks consumers through the chart and elaborates on each entry's meaning.

Beyond this report, there are many ways to learn more about water quality issues and challenges. Many of the topics covered in this report are updated regularly on Metropolitan's Web site in the "Your Water" section. You can call Metropolitan's Manager of Water Quality, Dr. Mic Stewart at (213) 217-5696 or send an e-mail .

Monthly meetings of Metropolitan's board of directors are open to the public and usually held on the second Tuesday of the month at Metropolitan's headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, 700 N. Alameda Street, adjacent to Union Station. To review a board meeting agenda, or to check on the date and start time for meetings, click here.

Sincerely,


Timothy F. Brick
CHAIRMAN, METROPOLITAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS