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Santa Cruz County, CA Water Quality

Water quality data for 9 public water systems serving Santa Cruz County, California — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 9 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

Santa Cruz County Earns a B

Santa Cruz County: 29 communities across 9 water systems. 72.4% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 1.60 ppb
  • 12 communities with a lead detection, 17 reporting none detected
  • 6 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 0 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 72.4% of communities have no open violations
1.6 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
9
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
72%
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
  • Scotts Valley
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Rio del Mar
    2.00 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Soquel
    2.00 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Capitola
    2.00 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Aptos
    2.00 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Ben Lomond
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Boulder Creek
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Brookdale
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Felton
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Lompico
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
County Lead Level — Median 1.6 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 1.6 ppb — 10.7% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
12
No Data
17

All Cities in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz Not detected A
Watsonville 1.20 ppb C
Live Oak Not detected A
Scotts Valley Not detected A
Rio del Mar 2.00 ppb A
Soquel 2.00 ppb A
Capitola 2.00 ppb A
Interlaken 1.20 ppb C
Ben Lomond Not detected C
Aptos 2.00 ppb A
Boulder Creek Not detected C
Pleasure Point Not detected A
Twin Lakes Not detected A
Freedom 1.20 ppb C
Seacliff 2.00 ppb A
Amesti 1.20 ppb C
Day Valley Not detected B
La Selva Beach 2.00 ppb A
Brookdale Not detected C
Corralitos 1.20 ppb C
Felton Not detected C
Lompico Not detected C
Pasatiempo Not detected A
Mount Hermon Not detected C
Zayante Not detected C
Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley 1.20 ppb C
Paradise Park Not detected A
Davenport Not detected B
Bonny Doon Not detected C
Showing 29 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Santa Cruz County Drinking Water

Santa Cruz County is served by 9 water systems covering 29 communities. 72% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 12 recorded a detection, with a median of 1.60 ppb — 11% of the federal action level. 17 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

6 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 no significant deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santa Cruz County tap water safe to drink?▼
72% of communities have no open violation. 6 of 29 have PFAS above the federal limit, which is the main open concern.
What is the lead level in Santa Cruz County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 1.60 ppb, 11% of the 15 ppb action level. 17 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Santa Cruz County?▼
9 community water systems serve 29 communities here.
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