SFPUC Meetings
SFPUC Water Board Meeting, July 25, 2006
SFPUC Water Board Meeting, November 14, 2006
Excerpts from EPA IRIS Document on Chloramine

The Water Board of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 1:30 PM, City Hall Room 400, San Francisco.  Each meeting usually begins with a public comment period. For information on meetings of the SFPUC and how to participate, call CCAC at 408 227-5767.

At the July 25, 2006 meeting, CCAC members pointed to the lack of studies on the health effects of chloramine. SFPUC resolved to investigate. To view a video of the meeting, click here.

At the November 14, 2006 meeting, the SFPUC was to report on their search for health studies, specifically the skin, respiratory, and digestive effects of chloramine. However, they never reported on such studies. Instead, they gave a general report on chloramine that failed to address the issue. Ms. June Weintraub of the San Francisco Department of Public Health cited the EPA cancer studies from the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as proof that chloramine is safe (even though the EPA itself states that these studies are incomplete and inadequate for assessment.)

For a sampling of quotes from the IRIS document that Ms. Weintraub cites, click here. To view a video of the meeting, click here.

To view a video of this meeting, click here.

At the July 25, 2006 meeting, several San Francisco residents addressed the commissioners about health effects that they and their family members experienced after chloramine was added to their water.  CCAC pointed out the lack of health studies on chloramine's skin, respiratory, and digestive effects.  The Board discussed the lack of health studies on chloramine, and decided to investigate.

To view the video of the July 25 SFPUC Meeting, click here. (The public comment portion is at the beginning of the meeting.)

To view a video of this meeting, click here.

At the November 14 meeting, Andrew DeGraca, Water Quality Bureau Manager for the SFPUC, and June Weintraub, epidemiologist for the San Francisco Public Health Department, presented a general report on chloramine and its use. There was no mention of any studies found on skin and respiratory effects of chloraminated water (the original purpose of their investigation.) Ms. Weintraub cited the EPA cancer studies from the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as proof that chloramine is safe. (However, the EPA itself states that these studies are incomplete and inadequate for assessment.)

Following the presentation, 15 members of the public spoke for one minute each. Many were outraged that the SFPUC was unwilling to pursue the necessary health studies on the very symptoms they were experiencing.

For a sampling of quotes from the IRIS document that Ms. Weintraub cites, see the next section below. To view a video of the meeting, click here.  Be sure to go to agenda item 8 on chloramine.

Following are samples of quotes from the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) document that Ms. Weintraub cited during the November 14, 2006 meeting (to view the full document, click here):