Water Quality: Pescadero, CA
5 water systems • 328 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Pescadero is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 328 people, and has 106 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 11 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Pescadero's violation count is 121% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Contaminant 1041, Copper, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha.
Contaminants Found
Short-term exposure causes gastrointestinal distress; long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Corrosion of household plumbing systems and fixtures
EPA limit: Action Level: 1.3 mg/L (1,300 ppb)
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Pescadero
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUTANO CANYON MUTUAL | CA4100503 | Surface Water | 150 | 14 |
| BIANCHI FLOWERS INC | CA4100583 | Groundwater | 65 | 5 |
| MARCHI CENTRAL FARM | CA4100551 | Groundwater | 50 | 16 |
| OKU INCORPORATED | CA4100540 | Groundwater | 35 | 70 |
| PUENTE HOUSING SOLUTIONS | CA4100610 | Surface Water | 28 | 1 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in California
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.