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Water Quality Lookup / California / Santa Cruz County
EPA SDWIS ยท Santa Cruz County, California ยท 193 providers profiled

Santa Cruz County, CA Water Quality Report

Santa Cruz County is served by 193 major public water systems on file with the EPA.

Data current as of July 2026
๐Ÿ”Straight from EPA
๐ŸงชReal Lab Results
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Results for Santa Cruz County, CA

193 water providers on file for this county, sorted by population served.

Quick answer: Santa Cruz County has 193 water providers profiled, sorted by population served.

Violations on file

Nitrate
Older/archived health-based violation
Found at 8 of 193 providers
Commonly from agricultural fertilizer runoff or septic systems. Above the legal limit, it's an immediate concern especially for infants.
Selenium
Older/archived health-based violation
Found at 1 of 193 providers
TTHM
Older/archived health-based violation
Found at 1 of 193 providers
A group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter. Long-term exposure above the legal limit has been linked to increased cancer risk in some studies.
Lead And Copper Rule Revisions
Currently open health violation
Found at 19 of 193 providers
Coliform (TCR)
Older/archived health-based violation
Found at 3 of 193 providers
Chlorine
Older/archived health-based violation
Found at 3 of 193 providers
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Currently open health violation
Found at 2 of 193 providers

Contaminants found

Metals
Naturally occurring or corrosion-related elements, e.g. lead, arsenic, copper
Lead Summary
Detected: 0.0135 mg/L (ppm)
Found at 72 providers
Chromium, Hex
Detected: 30 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 25 providers
Iron
Detected: 5920 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 27 providers
Mostly an aesthetic issue (metallic taste, staining) rather than a health concern at typical levels.
Lead
Detected: 9 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 20 providers
A metal that can leach from old pipes, solder, and fixtures. Current medical guidance holds there is no truly safe level of lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant women.
Copper, Free
Detected: 1000 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 33 providers
Manganese
Detected: 2350 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 27 providers
Mainly a taste/staining concern at typical levels; long-term neurological research at high chronic exposure is ongoing.
Chromium
Detected: 30.2 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 7 providers
Occurs in two forms โ€” trivalent (an essential nutrient in trace amounts) and hexavalent (linked to increased cancer risk).
Barium
Detected: 178 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 19 providers
Zinc
Detected: 204 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 3 providers
Aluminum
Detected: 76 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 7 providers
Nickel
Detected: 10.7 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 8 providers
Selenium
Detected: 12.3 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 9 providers
Arsenic
Detected: 13.8 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 19 providers
Occurs naturally in some groundwater. Long-term exposure above the legal limit (10 ppb) has been linked to increased cancer risk and cardiovascular disease.
Combined Uranium
Detected: 1.8 PCI/L
7/29/2025
A naturally occurring radioactive metal. Long-term exposure above the legal limit is associated with kidney effects and increased cancer risk.
Copper Summary
Detected: 4.2 mg/L (ppm)
Found at 9 providers
Silver
Detected: 1.6 UG/L (ppb)
6/9/2025
Disinfection Byproducts
Formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with organic matter
Totalhaloaceticacids (HAA5)
Detected: 67 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 23 providers
TTHM
Detected: 77 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 31 providers
A group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter. Long-term exposure above the legal limit has been linked to increased cancer risk in some studies.
Bromoform
Detected: 30 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 22 providers
Bromodichloromethane
Detected: 26 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 30 providers
Dibromochloromethane
Detected: 26 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 31 providers
Chloroform
Detected: 46 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 26 providers
One of the individual trihalomethane disinfection byproducts, formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter.
Inorganics
Common dissolved minerals and salts, e.g. nitrate, fluoride, chloride
Nitrate-Nitrite
Detected: 18 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 11 providers
Nitrate
Detected: 17.8 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 31 providers
Commonly from agricultural fertilizer runoff or septic systems. Above the legal limit, it's an immediate concern especially for infants.
Chloride
Detected: 585 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 18 providers
Sulfate
Detected: 210 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 18 providers
Fluoride
Detected: 0.62 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 19 providers
Often added deliberately for dental health; can also occur naturally.
Minerals
Everyday minerals that mainly affect taste and water hardness
Potassium
Detected: 7.2 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 16 providers
Magnesium
Detected: 43 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 19 providers
Sodium
Detected: 73 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 19 providers
Calcium
Detected: 115 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 20 providers
Properties
General water characteristics like pH, hardness, and cloudiness (turbidity)
Langelier Index (pH(s))
Detected: 1.6 LANG
Found at 17 providers
Hardness, Total (ASCACO3)
Detected: 390 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 19 providers
Gross Alpha Particle Activity
Detected: 3.52 PCI/L
Found at 7 providers
pH
Detected: 8.1 PH
Found at 21 providers
A measure of how acidic or basic the water is (7 is neutral). Affects taste and plumbing, not a direct health measure.
Orthophosphate
Detected: 0.3 MG/L (ppm)
10/21/2025
Phosphate, Total
Detected: 280 UG/L (ppb)
8/6/2025
PFAS & Emerging Contaminants
Human-made "forever chemicals" and other substances not yet fully regulated
Lithium
Detected: 105 ยตg/L (ppb)
Found at 7 providers
Occurs naturally in some groundwater. Not currently federally regulated in drinking water.
PFBS
Detected: 0.0057 ยตg/L (ppb)
Found at 2 providers
PFHXS
Detected: 0.0058 ยตg/L (ppb)
10/9/2024
PFOS
Detected: 0.0051 ยตg/L (ppb)
10/9/2024
One of two PFAS with an enforceable federal limit (4 ppt) since 2024.
PFPEA
Detected: 0.0064 ยตg/L (ppb)
Found at 2 providers
PFHXA
Detected: 0.0042 ยตg/L (ppb)
Found at 2 providers
PFOA
Detected: 0.0065 ยตg/L (ppb)
10/9/2024
One of two PFAS with an enforceable federal limit (4 ppt) since 2024.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Industrial solvents and fuel-related chemicals that evaporate easily
1, 2, 3-Trichloropropane
Detected: 0.013 UG/L (ppb)
6/5/2025
Bromide
Detected: 0.2 MG/L (ppm)
4/3/2025
Calculated Parameters
Values worked out mathematically from other test results, not measured directly
Alkalinity, Bicarbonate
Detected: 405 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 19 providers
Alkalinity, Carbonate
Detected: 6.5 MG/L (ppm)
4/23/2025
Other
Additional substances tested that don't fit neatly into the categories above
Dibromoaceticacid
Detected: 9 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 20 providers
Alkalinity, Total
Detected: 332 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 19 providers
TDS
Detected: 670 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 18 providers
Turbidity
Detected: 30 NTU
Found at 28 providers
A measure of water cloudiness from suspended particles.
Odor
Detected: 4 TON
Found at 8 providers
Conductivity (at 25ยฐC)
Detected: 1100 UMHO/CM
Found at 18 providers
Color
Detected: 75 UNITS
Found at 20 providers
Dichloroaceticacid
Detected: 28 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 21 providers
Trichloroaceticacid
Detected: 39 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 18 providers
Aggressive Index
Detected: 13 AGGR
Found at 15 providers
Langelier Index (Source Temp.)
Detected: 0.94 LANG
Found at 15 providers
Perchlorate
Detected: 1.8 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 2 providers
Can occur naturally or from industrial/military sources; may interfere with thyroid function at elevated levels.
Monobromoaceticacid
Detected: 1.1 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 2 providers
Bromate
Detected: 3.3 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 2 providers
Monochloroaceticacid
Detected: 5 UG/L (ppb)
Found at 8 providers
Perfluorobutanesulfonicacid (PFBS)
Detected: 21 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 5 providers
Perfluoroheptanoicacid (PFHPA)
Detected: 6.2 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 3 providers
Perfluorohexanesulfonicacid (PFHxS)
Detected: 13 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 4 providers
Perfluoroctanoicacid (PFOA)
Detected: 13 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 4 providers
One of two PFAS with an enforceable federal limit (4 ppt) since 2024.
Perfluorohexanoicacid (PFHXA)
Detected: 10 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 5 providers
Perfluoropentanoicacid (PFPEA)
Detected: 10 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 5 providers
Perfluorobutanoicacid (PFBA)
Detected: 9.8 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 3 providers
Perfluorononanoicacid (PFNA)
Detected: 2.2 NG/L (ppt)
10/9/2025
Perfluoroctanesulfonicacid (PFOS)
Detected: 7.8 NG/L (ppt)
Found at 3 providers
One of two PFAS with an enforceable federal limit (4 ppt) since 2024.
Silica
Detected: 80 MG/L (ppm)
8/13/2025
Temperature (CENTIGRADE)
Detected: 14.7 C
10/7/2025
Cyanide
Detected: 7.8 UG/L (ppb)
5/14/2025
Nitrogen-Ammoniaas (N)
Detected: 0.36 MG/L (ppm)
8/19/2025
Carbon, Total
Detected: 1.14 MG/L (ppm)
Found at 2 providers
Filtration considerations: General system types, not a specific product recommendation.
Contaminant Whole-House Carbon Under-Sink RO Under-Sink Carbon
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)YesYesYes
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)YesYesYes
ChloroformYesYesYes
Chlorine / TasteYesYesYes
Sediment / TurbidityYesYesYes
TrichloroethyleneYesYesYes
TetrachloroethyleneYesYesYes
cis-1,2-DichloroethyleneYesYesYes
1,1-DichloroethyleneYesYesYes
BromoformYesYesYes
BromodichloromethaneYesYesYes
DibromochloromethaneYesYesYes
1,1,2-TrichloroethaneYesYesYes
Vinyl ChlorideYesYesYes
Carbon TetrachlorideYesYesYes
BenzeneYesYesYes
TolueneYesYesYes
XyleneYesYesYes
Totalhaloaceticacids (HAA5)YesYesYes
1, 2, 3-TrichloropropaneYesYesYes
BromideYesYesYes
LeadPartialYesPartial
ArsenicPartialYesPartial
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)PartialYesPartial
CopperPartialYesPartial
Combined UraniumPartialYesPartial
PFOAPartialYes*Partial
PFOSPartialYes*Partial
NitratePartialYesPartial
Combined RadiumPartialYesPartial
Nitrate-NitritePartialYesPartial
Chromium, HexPartialYesPartial
IronPartialYesPartial
DibromoaceticacidPartialYesPartial
Copper, FreePartialYesPartial
Alkalinity, TotalPartialYesPartial
TDSPartialYesPartial
ChloridePartialYesPartial
SulfatePartialYesPartial
FluoridePartialYesPartial
OdorPartialYesPartial
ManganesePartialYesPartial
ChromiumPartialYesPartial
BariumPartialYesPartial
ZincPartialYesPartial
Conductivity (at 25ยฐC)PartialYesPartial
ColorPartialYesPartial
DichloroaceticacidPartialYesPartial
TrichloroaceticacidPartialYesPartial
AluminumPartialYesPartial
Aggressive IndexPartialYesPartial
Langelier Index (Source Temp.)PartialYesPartial
PerchloratePartialYesPartial
NickelPartialYesPartial
SeleniumPartialYesPartial
MonobromoaceticacidPartialYesPartial
BromatePartialYesPartial
Combined UraniumPartialYesPartial
LithiumPartialYes*Partial
MonochloroaceticacidPartialYesPartial
Perfluorobutanesulfonicacid (PFBS)PartialYesPartial
Perfluoroheptanoicacid (PFHPA)PartialYesPartial
Perfluorohexanesulfonicacid (PFHxS)PartialYesPartial
Perfluoroctanoicacid (PFOA)PartialYesPartial
Perfluorohexanoicacid (PFHXA)PartialYesPartial
Perfluoropentanoicacid (PFPEA)PartialYesPartial
Perfluorobutanoicacid (PFBA)PartialYesPartial
Perfluorononanoicacid (PFNA)PartialYesPartial
Perfluoroctanesulfonicacid (PFOS)PartialYesPartial
SilicaPartialYesPartial
SilverPartialYesPartial
PFBSPartialYes*Partial
PFHXSPartialYes*Partial
PFPEAPartialYes*Partial
PFHXAPartialYes*Partial
Temperature (CENTIGRADE)PartialYesPartial
CyanidePartialYesPartial
Nitrogen-Ammoniaas (N)PartialYesPartial
Carbon, TotalPartialYesPartial
Coliform Bacteria (indicator)NoYesNo
Langelier Index (pH(s))NoNoNo
PotassiumNoPartialNo
MagnesiumNoPartialNo
SodiumNoPartialNo
CalciumNoPartialNo
Alkalinity, BicarbonateNoNoNo
Hardness, Total (ASCACO3)NoNoNo
Gross Alpha Particle ActivityNoNoNo
pHNoNoNo
Alkalinity, CarbonateNoNoNo
OrthophosphateNoNoNo
Phosphate, TotalNoNoNo

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What is TTHM? Understanding EPA Violation Status Is Chromium-6 Dangerous? Whole-House vs. Under-Sink Filtration Lead and Copper in Drinking Water What is PFAS? Arsenic and Uranium Explained Nitrate and Fluoride Explained Water Hardness, pH, and Turbidity What is Coliform Bacteria?