States › California › Monterey County

Monterey County, CA Water Quality

Water quality data for 21 public water systems serving Monterey County, California — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 21 water systems · 29 cities
✅
Generally Safe — Most Systems Performing Well

The majority of water systems have no active violations and lead levels well below the federal action level.

B

Monterey County Earns a B

Monterey County: 29 communities across 21 water systems. 96.6% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 2.00 ppb
  • 18 communities with a lead detection, 11 reporting none detected
  • 8 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 1 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 96.6% of communities have no open violations
2 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
21
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
96%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Salinas
    1.20 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Marina
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Greenfield
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Soledad
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Castroville
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
⚠ Needs Attention
  • San Ardo
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Monterey
    2.00 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 1 of 12 sampling points
    C
  • Seaside
    2.00 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 1 of 12 sampling points
    C
  • Pacific Grove
    2.00 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 1 of 12 sampling points
    C
  • Carmel Valley Village
    2.00 ppb
    PFAS above the limit at 1 of 12 sampling points
    C
County Lead Level — Median 2 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 2 ppb — 13.3% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
17
5 – 10 ppb
1
No Data
11

All Cities in Monterey County

Salinas 1.20 ppb A
Monterey 2.00 ppb C
Seaside 2.00 ppb C
Marina Not detected A
Greenfield Not detected A
Soledad Not detected A
Pacific Grove 2.00 ppb C
King City Not detected A
Gonzales Not detected A
Castroville Not detected A
Prunedale Not detected A
Carmel Valley Village 2.00 ppb C
Del Monte Forest 2.00 ppb C
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.00 ppb C
Las Lomas Not detected A
Pajaro 1.20 ppb A
Aromas 1.40 ppb B
Pine Canyon 2.10 ppb B
Boronda 1.20 ppb A
Del Rey Oaks 2.00 ppb C
Chualar Not detected B
San Ardo Not detected C
Spreckels 6.30 ppb B
Sand City 2.00 ppb C
San Lucas 1.40 ppb B
Elkhorn Not detected B
Fort Hunter Liggett 4.80 ppb B
Lockwood 1.90 ppb B
Moss Landing 1.20 ppb B
Showing 29 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Monterey County Drinking Water

Monterey County is served by 21 water systems covering 29 communities. 97% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 18 recorded a detection, with a median of 2.00 ppb — 13% of the federal action level. 11 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

8 of 29 communities have PFAS above the limits EPA set in 2024, measured as a running annual average at each sampling point. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 1 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monterey County tap water safe to drink?▼
97% of communities have no open violation. 8 of 29 have PFAS above the federal limit, which is the main open concern.
What is the lead level in Monterey County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 2.00 ppb, 13% of the 15 ppb action level. 11 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Monterey County?▼
21 community water systems serve 29 communities here.
← Back to California water quality overview