Water Quality: Santa Cruz, CA
10 water systems • 96,691 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Santa Cruz is served by 10 public water systems with a combined service population of 96,691 people, and has 55 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 31 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Santa Cruz's violation count is 15% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Haloacetic Acids, Selenium, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Linked to increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.
Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste
EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
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 Cruz
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT | CA4410010 | Surface Water | 94,626 | 4 |
| RIVERVIEW MOBILE HOME ESTATES | CA5000090 | Groundwater | 540 | 28 |
| DAVENPORT COUNTY SANITATION | CA4400571 | Surface Water | 350 | 0 |
| ROUNTREE FACILITY(PREV. SHERIFF'S REHAB) | CA4400762 | Groundwater | 235 | 5 |
| POND-DEROSA OAKS WC | CA2701553 | Groundwater | 216 | 2 |
| WESTERN MOBILE HOME PARK | CA4900791 | Groundwater | 178 | 10 |
| PLAZA MOBILE HOME PARK | CA4900787 | Groundwater | 169 | 2 |
| WOODS, THE (MENDOCINO) | CA2300667 | Groundwater | 157 | 0 |
| JARVIS MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM | CA4400611 | Groundwater | 125 | 4 |
| SUMMERHILL MHP WS | CA2700792 | Groundwater | 95 | 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.