B68/100
SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 94,626 people · California
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
CA4410010
Violations
5
Contaminant Test Results
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Copper (90th percentile) | 1.80 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | Over Limit |
chlorate | 320.00 µg/L | — | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 2016.
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT
Is SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?
SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT water receives a grade of B (68/100), which is considered good. Out of 70 contaminants tested, 1 exceed EPA legal limits. 2 contaminant(s) exceed non-enforceable health goals. The water meets federal safety standards.
What contaminants has SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT detected?
70 contaminants were tested in SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT's water. Notable contaminants include Copper (90th percentile), chlorate. 1 exceed EPA legal limits (MCLs). 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT have any EPA violations?
Yes, SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT has 5 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2016. Violation types include MR, TT. 4 are health-based violations.
How many people does SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT serve?
SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT serves approximately 94,626 people, California.
What type of water does SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT provide?
SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is CA4410010.
How does SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT compare to other utilities in California?
SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT scores 68/100 with a grade of B (good). This is an above-average performance for utilities statewide. Visit our California state page for a full comparison of water systems.