Water Quality: Santa Barbara, CA
16 water systems • 117,465 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Santa Barbara is served by 16 public water systems with a combined service population of 117,465 people, and has 57 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. Santa Barbara's violation count is 19% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
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)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Santa Barbara
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF SANTA BARBARA WATER DEPARTMENT | CA4210010 | Surface Water | 98,872 | 0 |
| MONTECITO WATER DIST | CA4210007 | Surface Water | 11,962 | 3 |
| LA CUMBRE MUTUAL WATER CO | CA4210024 | Surface Water | 4,861 | 0 |
| SAN VICENTE WATER COMPANY | CA4210005 | Groundwater | 550 | 4 |
| MAGIC MOUNTAIN MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA4900637 | Groundwater | 221 | 10 |
| LAS POSITAS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA4200572 | Groundwater | 200 | 3 |
| ELLWOOD MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA4200693 | Groundwater | 186 | 6 |
| PAINTED CAVE | CA4200578 | Groundwater | 160 | 6 |
| SAN MARCOS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA4200580 | Surface Water | 120 | 0 |
| MONTECITO SEA MEADOWS | CA4200733 | Groundwater | 70 | 3 |
| CACHUMA VILLAGE | CA4200505 | Groundwater | 60 | 9 |
| VIEJA MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA4200702 | Groundwater | 60 | 3 |
| LINGATE LANE MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA4200633 | Groundwater | 55 | 4 |
| ESTERINA PROPERTIES | CA5602101 | Groundwater | 50 | 6 |
| ROSARIO PARK | CA4200579 | Groundwater | 38 | 0 |
| CACHUMA PROJECT | CA4210028 | Surface Water | 0 | 0 |
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.