# Solvang Water Division — Solvang, Ca, CA — Drinking Water Quality (2023)

> Contaminant levels for the Solvang Water Division — Solvang, Ca, CA public water system from its 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, compared to federal limits.

- Page: https://www.thewatermap.com/water/ca/solvang-water-division-solvang-ca/2023
- JSON API: https://www.thewatermap.com/api/water/ca/solvang-water-division-solvang-ca/2023
- 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: 2023
- Contaminants measured: 44
- Contaminants with a federal limit: 17
- Contaminants at or above the federal limit: 1
- Part of The Water Map — https://www.thewatermap.com

## Contaminants measured

| Contaminant | Category | Measured level | Sampling context | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | Disinfectants | 1.08–2.26 mg/L (Range) | System-wide | 4 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| HAA5 | Disinfection byproducts | 15–32 ug/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | Within the limit |
| TTHM | Disinfection byproducts | 22–76 ug/L (Reported level) | State Water | No federal limit | Approaching the limit |
| Chloride | Inorganic chemicals | 30–138 mg/L (Reported level) | State Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Fluoride | Inorganic chemicals | 0–0.33 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | 4 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Nitrate | Inorganic chemicals | 0–5.9 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | 10 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Sulfate | Inorganic chemicals | 63–270 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Aluminum | Metals | 0.055–0.12 mg/L (Reported level) | Source water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Arsenic | Metals | 2–5 ug/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | Within the limit |
| Boron | Metals | 0–360 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | 1 ug/L (NL) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Calcium | Metals | 32–110 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chromium, Hexavalent | Metals | 0–23 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | 0.02 ug/L (Public health goal) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Copper | Metals | 0.28 ug/L (90th percentile) | At the tap | No federal limit | Within the limit |
| Iron | Metals | 0–190 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Lead | Metals | 0 ug/L (90th percentile) | At the tap | No federal limit | Within the limit |
| Lithium | Metals | 0–62.2 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Magnesium | Metals | 41–90 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Potassium | Metals | 3.5 mg/L (Reported level) | Treated Ccwa | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Selenium | Metals | 0–28 ug/L (Range) | System-wide | No federal limit | Within the limit |
| Sodium | Metals | 36–61 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Thallium | Metals | 0–1.6 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Approaching the limit |
| Vanadium | Metals | 5–22 ug/L (Range) | System-wide | 50 ug/L (NL) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Zinc | Metals | 0–69 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Microbial | 0 (Highest single sample) | No. of Detections | 0 (MCLG) | None detected |
| Total Coliform | Microbial | 0 % (Reported level) | Treated Ccwa | 0 % (Public health goal) | None detected |
| Chlorine Total | Other | 0.18–3.84 mg/L (Reported level) | State Water | 4 mg/L (MCL) | Approaching the limit |
| Chromium | Other | 0–20 ug/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Within the limit |
| Nitrate Nitrite | Other | 0–6 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | 10 mg/L (MCL) | Within the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0–4.4 ng/L (Range) | System-wide | 1 ng/L (NL) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0 ng/L (Reported level) | System-wide | 3 ng/L (NL) | None detected |
| PFOA | PFAS ("forever chemicals") | 0 ng/L (Reported level) | System-wide | 5.1 ng/L (NL) | None detected |
| Alkalinity | Physical & aggregate | 260–360 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Bicarbonate | Physical & aggregate | 71 mg/L (Reported level) | Source water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Color | Physical & aggregate | 0–3 (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Hardness | Physical & aggregate | 320–490 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Odor | Physical & aggregate | 1–3 (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| pH | Physical & aggregate | 7.7–9.3 (Reported level) | Source water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Specific Conductance | Physical & aggregate | 780–1100 (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOC | Physical & aggregate | 1.8–4.5 mg/L (Reported level) | Source water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total Dissolved Solids | Physical & aggregate | 450–730 mg/L (Reported level) | Ground Water | No federal limit | Detected — no federal limit |
| Turbidity | Physical & aggregate | 0–1.6 NTU (Reported level) | Ground Water | 1 NTU (MCL) | At or above the limit |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 1.51–12.4 pCi/L (Range) | System-wide | 15 pCi/L (MCL) | Approaching the limit |
| Uranium | Radionuclides | 1.3–11.6 pCi/L (Range) | System-wide | 20 pCi/L (MCL) | Detected — no federal limit |
| Tetrachloroethylene | VOCs & pesticides | 0–1 ug/L (Range) | System-wide | 5 ug/L (MCL) | Within the limit |

## What these contaminants are

- **Chlorine** — A disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. Effective and necessary, but high residual levels can cause taste and odor issues; the EPA caps the residual disinfectant level.
- **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.
- **Chloride** — A naturally occurring salt compound. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels cause a salty taste and can corrode pipes.
- **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.
- **Sulfate** — A naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. No health-based federal limit; high levels can have a laxative effect and a bitter taste.
- **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.
- **Boron** — A naturally occurring element from rock and soil. No enforceable federal limit; the EPA has issued a health advisory level.
- **Calcium** — A naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. Not federally regulated for health; affects scaling and taste.
- **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.
- **Iron** — A naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; causes rusty color, staining, and metallic taste.
- **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.
- **Magnesium** — A naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. Not federally regulated for health; affects scaling and taste.
- **Potassium** — A naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. Not federally regulated for health.
- **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.
- **Sodium** — A naturally occurring salt component. Not federally regulated for health; relevant for people on sodium-restricted diets.
- **Zinc** — A naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels cause a metallic taste.
- **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.
- **Perfluorohexanoic acid** — Perfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' Monitored under EPA rules; persistent and widely detected.
- **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.
- **Alkalinity** — A measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. Not federally regulated for health; relevant to corrosion control and treatment.
- **Color** — A measure of visible tint in the water. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard.
- **Hardness** — A measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. Not federally regulated for health; affects scaling, soap use, and taste.
- **Odor** — A measure of detectable smell in the water. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard.
- **pH** — A measure of how acidic or basic the water is. Regulated only as a secondary standard; very low or high pH can corrode pipes or affect taste.
- **Specific Conductance** — A measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. Not federally regulated for health; used as a proxy for total dissolved solids.
- **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.
- **Total Dissolved Solids** — Total dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels affect taste and hardness.
- **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.
- **Gross Alpha** — Gross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. Long-term exposure above the federal limit 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.
- **Tetrachloroethylene** — An industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. A likely human carcinogen; long-term exposure above the federal limit can damage the liver and kidneys.

## 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 2026-06-04 from thewatermap.com._