Santa Cruz County Water Quality: 87 Violations (CA)
47 water systems · 22 ZIP codes · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-06-04
Violation Trend
EPA violations across water systems in Santa Cruz County.
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Santa Cruz County has 47 community water systems serving approximately 2,311,099 people across 22 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 87 EPA violations, including 61 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 70% of all violations in Santa Cruz County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 61 | 70.1% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 26 | 29.9% |
| Total | 87 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | 54 | 48 | 6 | 708,662 |
| 2 | Felton | 10 | 7 | 1 | 122,590 |
| 3 | Scotts Valley | 8 | 2 | 2 | 148,371 |
| 4 | Boulder Creek | 7 | 2 | 1 | 27,975 |
| 5 | Mount Hermon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 122,354 |
| 6 | Freedom | 3 | 0 | 1 | 65,391 |
| 7 | Los Gatos | 2 | 1 | 1 | 65,214 |
Violation Trend
Year-by-year EPA violations across water systems in Santa Cruz County:
| Year | Total | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 |
| 2024 | 70 | 70 |
| 2025 | 36 | 36 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 39 | 9 | Yes |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 18 | 6 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 3 | 1 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 1 | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 1 | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | 1 | No |
Understanding Water Quality Scores
Each ZIP code in Santa Cruz County receives a safety score from 0-100 based on EPA compliance data. Scores factor in the number and severity of violations, with health-based violations weighted more heavily than monitoring failures. Resolved violations (where the system returned to compliance) receive reduced weight in the scoring.
The county-level grade (C) represents the average across all 22 ZIP codes. Individual ZIP codes may vary significantly — a county with a B grade may contain both A-rated and D-rated areas.
Water Systems in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is served by 47 community water systems, averaging 2.1 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Santa Cruz County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Santa Cruz County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 88 enforcement actions against water systems in Santa Cruz County. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
Water Quality Map: Santa Cruz County, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Santa Cruz County
Water quality varies across Santa Cruz County's 22 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95018 | Felton | C | 55 | 10 | 7 | View → |
| 95061 | Santa Cruz | C | 58 | 9 | 8 | View → |
| 95062 | Santa Cruz | D | 53 | 9 | 8 | View → |
| 95065 | Santa Cruz | D | 53 | 9 | 8 | View → |
| 95063 | Santa Cruz | D | 50 | 9 | 8 | View → |
| 95064 | Santa Cruz | D | 50 | 9 | 8 | View → |
| 95060 | Santa Cruz | D | 48 | 9 | 8 | View → |
| 95006 | Boulder Creek | C | 65 | 7 | 2 | View → |
| 95067 | Scotts Valley | B | 79 | 4 | 1 | View → |
| 95066 | Scotts Valley | B | 74 | 4 | 1 | View → |
| 95019 | Freedom | B | 82 | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 95041 | Mount Hermon | C | 67 | 3 | 1 | View → |
| 95033 | Los Gatos | B | 74 | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 95077 | Watsonville | B | 83 | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 95001 | Aptos | B | 81 | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 95073 | Soquel | B | 73 | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 95076 | Watsonville | C | 68 | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 95003 | Aptos | C | 66 | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 95005 | Ben Lomond | C | 65 | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 95368 | Salida | C | 63 | 0 | 0 | View → |
What are EPA health violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the legal limit designed to protect human health. Santa Cruz County has 61 such violations. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
What is a water quality grade?
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Santa Cruz County's overall grade is C.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Santa Cruz County, California?
Santa Cruz County has 47 community water systems with 87 recorded EPA violations, including 61 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Santa Cruz County have?
Santa Cruz County has 87 total EPA violations across 22 ZIP codes. 61 are health-based violations indicating contaminant levels potentially harmful to health.
Which city in Santa Cruz County has the most water violations?
Santa Cruz has the most violations in Santa Cruz County with 54 recorded EPA violations across 6 ZIP codes.
What contaminants are found in Santa Cruz County water?
Santa Cruz County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Santa Cruz County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).