# Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA — Drinking Water Quality (2024)

> Contaminant levels for the Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA public water system from its 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, compared to federal limits.

- Page: https://www.thewatermap.com/water/ca/chula-vista-sweetwater/2024
- JSON API: https://www.thewatermap.com/api/water/ca/chula-vista-sweetwater/2024
- Source: the utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- Verification: transcribed by a model, cross-checked by a second model, approved before publishing
- Reporting year: 2024
- Contaminants measured: 37
- Contaminants with a federal limit: 26
- Contaminants at or above the federal limit: 7
- Part of The Water Map — https://www.thewatermap.com

## Contaminants measured

| Contaminant | Category | Measured level | Sampling context | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramine | Disinfectants | 0.2–4.66 mg/L (Reported level) | Treated1 Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chlorate | Disinfection byproducts | 130–4306 ug/L (Reported level) | Treated1 Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 800 ug/L (NL) | At or above the limit |
| Chlorite | Disinfection byproducts | 0.02–0.426 mg/L (Reported level) | Treated1 Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 1 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| HAA5 | Disinfection byproducts | 0–66.4 ug/L (Reported level) | Treated1 Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| TTHM | Disinfection byproducts | 4.6–85.46 ug/L (Reported level) | Treated1 Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 80 ug/L (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| Bromide | Inorganic chemicals | 81–420 ug/L (Reported level) | Lake Skinner Outlet (Aqueduct) | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Fluoride | Inorganic chemicals | 0.5–0.9 mg/L (Reported level) | Treated Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 2 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Nitrate | Inorganic chemicals | 0–1 mg/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 10 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Aluminum | Metals | 0–70 ug/L (Reported level) | Sweetwater Reservoir | 1000 ug/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Arsenic | Metals | 0–3.4 ug/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 10 ug/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Barium | Metals | 0.1–0.2 mg/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 1 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Boron | Metals | 0.08–0.54 mg/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 1 mg/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Chromium, Hexavalent | Metals | 0–0.4 ug/L (Reported level) | Treated Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 10 ug/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Copper | Metals | 0.313 mg/L (90th percentile) | At the tap | 1.3 mg/L (Action level) | Within the limit |
| Lead | Metals | 3 ug/L (90th percentile) | At the tap | 15 ug/L (Action level) | Within the limit |
| Lithium | Metals | 0–13.6 ug/L (Reported level) | Treated¹ Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Manganese | Metals | 0–10 ug/L (Reported level) | Treated1 Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 50 ug/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Selenium | Metals | 0–19 ug/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 50 ug/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Vanadium | Metals | 14–19 ug/L (Reported level) | National City Well 2 | 50 ug/L (NL) | Within the limit |
| Cryptosporidium | Microbial | 0–3 (Reported level) | Sweetwater Reservoir | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Microbial | 0 (Reported level) | Treated Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 0 (MCL) | None detected |
| Total Coliform | Microbial | 3 (Reported level) | National City Well 3 | 5 (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–11 ng/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 1 ng/L (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–4.6 ng/L (Reported level) | Treated¹ Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–26 ng/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 10 ng/L (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–7.7 ng/L (Reported level) | Treated¹ Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–7.3 ng/L (Reported level) | Treated¹ Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFAS | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–2.6 (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 1 (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| PFBA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–15 ng/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFOA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–9.4 ng/L (Reported level) | Treated¹ Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | 4 ng/L (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| PFOS | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–33 ng/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 4 ng/L (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| TOC | Physical & aggregate | 2.9–12 mg/L (Reported level) | Lake Skinner Outlet (Aqueduct) | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Turbidity | Physical & aggregate | 0.27 NTU (Reported level) | Treated Sweetwater Authority Drinking Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 0.6–1.4 pCi/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 5 pCi/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 0–11.1 pCi/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 15 pCi/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | Radionuclides | 4.7–7.4 pCi/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 50 pCi/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Uranium | Radionuclides | 0–8.5 pCi/L (Reported level) | SD Formation Wells 1 - 11 | 20 pCi/L (MCL) | Within the limit |

## What these contaminants are

- **Chloramine** — A longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. Holds disinfection further into the pipe network, but is regulated under the same residual-disinfectant cap as chlorine.
- **Chlorate** — A byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. Has no enforceable federal limit but is on the EPA contaminant candidate list; high levels can affect the thyroid.
- **HAA5** — Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. Long-term exposure above the federal limit is associated with an increased cancer risk.
- **TTHM** — Total trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. Long-term exposure above the federal limit is linked to liver, kidney, and central-nervous-system effects and increased cancer risk.
- **Bromide** — A naturally occurring salt found in source water. Not directly regulated, but a precursor that increases formation of brominated disinfection byproducts.
- **Fluoride** — A mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Beneficial at low levels, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause bone disease and tooth mottling.
- **Nitrate** — A compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. Levels above the federal limit can cause 'blue baby syndrome,' a serious oxygen-transport condition in infants.
- **Aluminum** — A common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels can discolor water.
- **Arsenic** — A naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. A known human carcinogen; long-term exposure is linked to skin, bladder, and lung cancer.
- **Barium** — A metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. Long-term exposure above the federal limit can raise blood pressure.
- **Boron** — A naturally occurring element from rock and soil. No enforceable federal limit; the EPA has issued a health advisory level.
- **Chromium, Hexavalent** — Hexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. A known carcinogen by inhalation; regulated nationally only within the total-chromium limit, with stricter limits in some states.
- **Copper** — A metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. Short-term exposure causes stomach distress; long-term exposure can damage the liver and kidneys.
- **Lead** — A toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. There is no safe level of lead; it harms brain development in children and raises blood pressure in adults. The EPA sets an action level, not a health goal above zero.
- **Lithium** — A naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. No enforceable federal limit; on the EPA contaminant candidate list for further study.
- **Manganese** — A naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. No enforceable federal limit; high levels stain fixtures and laundry and can affect taste, with a health advisory for infants.
- **Selenium** — A trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. Essential in tiny amounts, but long-term exposure above the federal limit can cause hair and fingernail loss and circulatory problems.
- **Escherichia coli (E. coli)** — Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. Its presence in drinking water indicates fecal contamination and a real risk of waterborne illness.
- **Total Coliform** — A group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. Coliforms themselves are usually harmless, but their presence signals that disease-causing organisms could enter the system.
- **Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid** — Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Has no standalone limit but is part of the EPA PFAS Hazard Index that limits PFAS in combination.
- **Perfluoroheptanoic acid** — Perfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid** — Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' Regulated by the EPA at 10 parts per trillion and included in the PFAS Hazard Index.
- **Perfluorohexanoic acid** — Perfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and widely detected.
- **Perfluoropentanoic acid** — Perfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment.
- **PFBA** — Perfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent in the environment and the human body.
- **PFOA** — Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
- **PFOS** — Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. Linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
- **TOC** — Total organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. Not harmful itself, but it is the raw material that forms disinfection byproducts; removal is a treatment requirement.
- **Turbidity** — A measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. High turbidity can shelter microbes from disinfection; the EPA enforces it through a treatment-technique standard.
- **Combined Radium** — Combined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. Long-term exposure above the federal limit increases the risk of bone cancer.
- **Gross Alpha** — Gross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. Long-term exposure above the federal limit increases cancer risk.
- **Gross Beta Particle Activity** — Gross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. Long-term exposure above the federal screening level increases cancer risk.
- **Uranium** — A naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. Long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the kidneys and increase cancer risk.

## How to read this

- A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
- 'Federal limit' is the EPA standard (MCL, action level, treatment technique, etc.) that the measured level is compared against.
- 'At or above the federal limit' means the utility's own reported figure met or exceeded that standard.

_Figures are the utility's own published numbers. Generated 2026-05-25 from thewatermap.com._