The Water Map

Drinking water quality · 2023

· Verified

What's in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA tap water

28 contaminants were measured in the Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.

See it on the mapFull source report ↗
Reporting year
2023
Contaminants measured
28
Over federal limit
1
Approaching the limit
1
Worst contaminant
HAA5
1.0× the limit
Service area
CA
state-level CCR
Source
Utility CCR
View document ↗
At or above the federal limit
Approaching the limit (≥ 80%)

Disinfection byproducts

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter.39–62 ug/LAverageSystem-wideAt or above the limit
TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter.58–72 ug/LAverageSystem-wideApproaching the limit
ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade.300 ug/LAverageBeltz 12 Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg300 ug/L
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg180 ug/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg0–140 ug/L

PFAS ("forever chemicals")

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings.0–2.2 ng/LAverageGraham Hill Water Treatment PlantWithin the limit
+By source (3)— Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg0–2.2 ng/L55% of limit
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ng/L0% of limit
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ng/L0% of limit
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'0–2.1 ng/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantWithin the limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg0–2.1 ng/L21% of limit
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ng/L0% of limit
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ng/L0% of limit
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'0–1.7 ng/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg0–1.7 ng/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ng/L
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ng/L

Disinfectants

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses.0.86–1.54 mg/LAverageSystem-wideWithin the limit

Metals

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing.0.23 mg/L90th percentileAt the tapWithin the limit
ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture.0–0.92 ug/LReported levelBeltz Water Treatment PlantWithin the limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    9% of limit
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    0% of limit
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    0% of limit
BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge.0.03–0.04 mg/LReported levelBeltz Water Treatment PlantWithin the limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    2% of limit
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    2% of limit
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    1% of limit
LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures.Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tapWithin the limit
AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant.0–0.04 mg/LReported levelGraham Hill Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.74–88 mg/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg74–88 mg/L
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg68–70 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg52–64 mg/L
Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium.0.17–0.29 ug/LReported levelGraham Hill Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater.36–54 ug/LAverageBeltz 12 Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg36–54 ug/L
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg13–14 ug/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected ug/L
MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.28–28 mg/LAverageBeltz 12 Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg28–28 mg/L
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg17–21 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg8.3–9.9 mg/L
PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.6.7–7.9 mg/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg6.7–7.9 mg/L
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg4.5–4.6 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg2.2–2.3 mg/L
SilicaA naturally occurring compound from sand and rock.71–75 mg/LAverageBeltz 12 Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg71–75 mg/L
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg55–65 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg21–23 mg/L
SodiumA naturally occurring salt component.42–50 mg/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg42–50 mg/L
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg31–34 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg18–20 mg/L
Vanadium0–0.002 mg/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg0–0.002 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected mg/L
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avgNot detected mg/L

Inorganic chemicals

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.0.59 mg/LReported levelBeltz 12 Water Treatment PlantWithin the limit
+By source (3)— Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    15% of limit
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    4% of limit
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    3% of limit
NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits.0.22–0.35 mg/LReported levelGraham Hill Water Treatment PlantWithin the limit
+By source (3)— Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    3% of limit
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    0% of limit
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    0% of limit

Microbial

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals.0 %Reported levelSystem-wideNone detected
Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation.1Highest single sampleNumber of DetectionsDetected — no federal limit

Physical & aggregate

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids.191–196 mg/LAverageBeltz 12 Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg191–196 mg/L
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg143–158 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg105–124 mg/L
HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals.247–316 mg/LAverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg247–316 mg/L
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg279–288 mg/L
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg152–196 mg/L
pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is.8–8.2AverageBeltz Water Treatment PlantDetected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Beltz Water Treatment Plant, Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, Beltz 12 Water Treatment Plant
  • Beltz Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg8–8.2
  • Graham Hill Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg7.3–7.6
  • Beltz 12 Water Treatment PlantPlant
    avg7.3–7.5
TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water.1.2–2.3 mg/LAverageSystem-wideDetected — no federal limit
Source: Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.

People also ask about Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA's water

+Is Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA tap water safe to drink in 2023?

The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: HAA5. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.

+What contaminants are in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA tap water?

28 contaminants were measured in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and disinfection byproducts. 10 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.

+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA tap water?

One contaminant in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA's 2023 report sits at or above the federal limit: HAA5 (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.

+What is the worst contaminant in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA tap water?

The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is HAA5, at 1.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the disinfection byproducts family of contaminants.

+Are any contaminants in Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?

One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: TTHM. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.

+Where does the data on this page come from?

Every value is transcribed from Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.

+How often is Santa Cruz Water Department — Santa Cruz, Ca, CA's water quality data updated?

Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.

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