Water Quality in Ventura, CA: 88 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 72/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Ventura's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance record maintained by the EPA for Ventura, CA documents 88 water violations — each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.
Water Quality Map: Ventura, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Ventura
Water quality varies across Ventura's 8 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93001 | D | 48 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93002 | C | 57 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93005 | C | 57 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93006 | C | 57 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93007 | C | 57 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93009 | C | 57 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93003 | C | 58 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
| 93004 | C | 63 | 11 | 4 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Ventura.
Water Quality Overview
Ventura, California receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 72 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Ventura have accumulated 88 EPA violations, including 32 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 8 ZIP codes serving approximately 114,606 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Ventura's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Ventura water systems is 0.0022 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 74% of homes built before 1986, Ventura 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.
Radon Risk
Ventura is in EPA Radon Zone 2 (Moderate risk). Testing is recommended, especially for homes with basements or ground-level living spaces.
Water Systems Serving Ventura
Ventura is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 114,606 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 80 enforcement actions against water systems serving Ventura. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Ventura
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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 Ventura Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Ventura's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 16 | 8 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 16 | 8 | Yes |
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 Ventura:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 16 | 16 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024 | 8 | 8 |
Violations have decreased from 16 in 2022 to 8 in 2024, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Ventura. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-11-20 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-11-19 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-07-16 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-05-08 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-04-22 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-02-28 | State Filed Suit |
| 2023-10-17 | State Filed Suit |
| 2023-10-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-07-21 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-06-21 | State Filed Suit |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-11-20.
Ventura vs. Nearby California Cities
How Ventura's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura | B | 88 | 5 | 114,606 |
| Antioch | B | 0 | 1 | 115,074 |
| San Marcos | C | 112 | 2 | 113,596 |
| Santa Barbara | C | 17 | 5 | 116,466 |
Recommended Water Filters for Ventura
Based on contaminants detected in Ventura's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Arsenic, Gross Alpha Particle Activity
- Effectiveness: 90-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- iSpring RCC7AK
- Crystal Quest Arsenic Filter
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramine Residual
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Total Trihalomethanes
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Ventura
Water quality varies across Ventura's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93001 | 48 | D | 11 | 4 |
| 93002 | 57 | C | 11 | 4 |
| 93005 | 57 | C | 11 | 4 |
| 93006 | 57 | C | 11 | 4 |
| 93007 | 57 | C | 11 | 4 |
| 93009 | 57 | C | 11 | 4 |
| 93003 | 58 | C | 11 | 4 |
| 93004 | 63 | C | 11 | 4 |
Common Questions About Ventura Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Ventura, California:
Is Ventura water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Ventura's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Ventura tap water? Ventura's water receives a grade of B (72/100). There are 32 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Ventura? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Ventura vs. California Average
Understanding how Ventura 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 Ventura.
ZIP Codes in Ventura
Ventura spans 8 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 93001. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.