Water Quality in Salinas, CA: 33 Violations - Grade N/A
11 water systems · 5 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 33 violations across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Salinas. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Salinas
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93907 | 28 | 24 | View report → |
| 93908 | 5 | 0 | View report → |
| 93901 | 3 | 0 | View report → |
| 93905 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 93906 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Salinas.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Salinas, California has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 5 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 33 violations, including 24 health-based violations across 5 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Salinas water systems is 0.0053 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 5 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 68% of homes built before 1986, Salinas has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Salinas
Salinas is served by 11 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 196,107 people across 8 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 5 enforcement actions against water systems serving Salinas. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Salinas
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Salinas Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Salinas's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 18 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 7 | 1 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 3 | 1 | Yes |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Salinas:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
Violations have decreased from 2 in 2022 to 1 in 2024, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 5 enforcement actions against water systems serving Salinas. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-01-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-02-14 | State Filed Suit |
| 2023-02-14 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2022-07-20 | State Filed Suit |
| 2022-07-09 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-01-10.
Salinas vs. Nearby California Cities
How Salinas's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 5 | 33 | 11 | 196,107 |
| Huntington Beach | 4 | 0 | 3 | 195,633 |
| Lancaster | 3 | 33 | 12 | 194,781 |
| Oceanside | 4 | 1 | 7 | 197,994 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Salinas
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Salinas's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
Common Questions About Salinas Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Salinas, California:
Is Salinas water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Salinas's 11 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Salinas tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 24 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Salinas? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Salinas vs. California Average
Understanding how Salinas compares to the broader California average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Salinas.
ZIP Codes in Salinas
Salinas spans 8 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 5 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.