The water quality at Mendocino High School has long been a topic of student conversation. Descriptions of its taste range from “irony” to “moldy” and concerns about potential health effects have prompted some students to avoid it altogether. A recent study sheds light on why the water tastes unusual and whether it is safe to drink.

According to the water coordinator for the Mendocino Unified School District (MUSD), the water contains no harmful contaminants as defined by federal regulations. As of today’s California regulations school districts are required to test for Lead, Arsenic, Nitrates and Nitrites, Microbial Contaminants, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Fluoride, and PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) to ensure safety and compliance with state and federal standards.

However, a deeper dive into water quality standards reveals that several chemical compounds significantly exceed the recommendations of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. While some critics argue that the EWG’s recommendations are overly cautious, this approach is seen by many as a necessary safeguard, ensuring that health risks are minimized in the absence of updated regulations.

While still within legal limits (which haven’t been updated in over two decades), the levels of these chemicals are far higher than what is deemed ideal by today’s standards.

The findings include:

• Bromodichloromethane: 15 times the recommended amount
• Dibromochloromethane: 8 times the recommended amount
• Dichloroacetic acid: 4.3 times the recommended amount
• Haloacetic acids: 8.5 times the recommended amount
• Total Trihalomethanes: 22 times the recommended amount

Bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, dichloroacetic acid, haloacetic acids, and total trihalomethanes are all byproducts that can form when disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. These chemicals are collectively referred to as disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and their presence in water typically results from a reaction between the disinfectant (usually chlorine, chloramine, or ozone) and natural organic matter present in the water. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of these substances has been linked to potential health risks, including cancer, Liver and kidney toxicity, and reproductive issues in women.  

To gather student perspectives, I conducted interviews with a diverse group of high school students. The responses highlight a mix of avoidance, concern, and acceptance.

One student commented, “I very rarely drink it. Yes, I’m concerned; all the water fountains have green around the faucets, and it kind of tastes very irony like a penny. Not very tasty.”

Another said, “No, I don’t drink it because of how bad everyone says it is. I have actually never tasted it.”

A more frequent drinker noted, “Yes, I drink it every day. No concerns.”

Yet another student remarked, “I drink it everyday sadly.”

Others mentioned buying bottled water from local stores, despite its high cost, to avoid the taste and potential risks of school-provided water. Not all students shared this caution, however. One said, “I drink it thrice a day. I like the metal taste.”

Interestingly, while Mendocino High’s water has earned its reputation for poor taste, several students and teachers have noted that the water at the community school (though seemingly connected to the same system) tastes much better. “I always try to fill up my water bottle at the com school because it tastes like the best water here,” remarked one student. Many Students have echoed this sentiment, comparing it favorably to the high school’s water. 

The green residue on faucets and the peculiar taste are physical reminders of an issue that is larger than student preference, the gap between what is legal and what is advisable. Federal regulations, last updated 20 years ago, have failed to keep pace with research linking elevated levels of new disinfectant byproducts to health concerns. Meanwhile, the EWG’s stricter standards are not enforceable by law, leaving schools like Mendocino High in compliance but open to critcism.

While the district affirms that the water is safe, the question remains: should we prioritize legal compliance over evolving health research? For now, students and staff must choose between trusting the outdated standards or taking their own precautions. As one student put it, “It tastes pretty bad, but I’m still standing, so it’s okay…for now.”