Health Violations Found CA 8 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

City of Paso Robles Water Division

EPA ID: CA4010007 · 31,176 people served · 3 ZIP codes

City of Paso Robles Water Division shows 6 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 31,176 people.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

D · 51
Avg Safety Score
31,176
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
8
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0058 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged
$558K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 94% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2021) to 4 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Paso Robles Water Division Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$91,643
Median Household Income
47,212
Service Area Population
6%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
20th
Energy Burden Percentile
46%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Paso Robles Water Division serves a community with a median household income of $91,643 and an estimated 47,212 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Paso Robles Water Division's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in San Luis Obispo County, California rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

45 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
24 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 65% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Paso Robles Water Division compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 7 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.0051 ppt, PFOS: 0.0065 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in California

C 2 violations
City of Santa Paula
31,018 people
C 0 violations
City of Martinez
30,997 people
B 0 violations
City of Burlingame
31,451 people
C 0 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $400
PFAS Treatment $200
Total Estimated Cost $1,600

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $27,903

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$19,115
10 years
$38,230
20 years
$76,460

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,600 (one-time) vs. $38,230 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Paso Robles Water Division (EPA ID: CA4010007) is a community water system in California that serves approximately 31,176 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (51/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

8 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 6 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 7 Yes
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)

Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
93446 0.0058 mg/L No N/A
93447 0.0058 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Paso Robles Water Division (CA4010007) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Paso Robles Water Division water safe to drink?

City of Paso Robles Water Division has recorded 8 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does City of Paso Robles Water Division serve?

City of Paso Robles Water Division serves approximately 31,176 people across 3 ZIP codes in California.

Where does City of Paso Robles Water Division get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(805) 237-3861
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Contact information from City of Paso Robles Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: City of Paso Robles Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from City of Paso Robles Consumer Confidence Report:
The assessment found our sources potentially vulnerable to agricultural drainage, auto repair shops, gas stations, home manufacturing, low-density septic systems, sewer collection systems, metal plating/finishing/fabricating, animal operations, agriculture and irrigation wells, and plastic and synthetics producers.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Agricultural drainageAuto repair shopsGas stationsHome manufacturingLow-density septic systemsSewer collection systemsMetal plating/finishing/fabricatingAnimal operationsAgricultureIrrigation wellsPlastic and synthetics producers

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from City of Paso Robles Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
667
Detections
19
Latest sample
6/18/2025
Highest analyte
PFPeA: 22 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFPeA 22 ppt
PFHxA 20 ppt
PFBS 8.1 ppt
PFOA 6.3 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHpA 6.3 ppt
PFBA 6.1 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
11,309
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 31,176
Reported to California

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Aesthetic water quality

These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.

pH
8.3
How acidic or basic the water is on a 0-14 scale. Drinking water is typically near neutral.
EPA secondary range: 6.5 – 8.5
Fluoride
0.5 ppm
Utility adds fluoride
Measured fluoride concentration in parts per million.
EPA secondary MCL: 2.0 ppm
Alkalinity
340 ppm CaCO₃
Capacity of the water to neutralize acids, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.
Total dissolved solids
720 ppm
Mineral content remaining after evaporation, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and other dissolved substances.
EPA secondary MCL: 500 ppm

Aesthetic measurements from City of Paso Robles Consumer Confidence Report.

Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.

Hard water detected in City of Paso Robles

Your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report flagged water hardness above EPA's secondary maximum contaminant level (120 ppm CaCO₃). This may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.

Solutions for hard water

There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.

Recommended Aquasana system for your hardness level

Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.

Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from City of Paso Robles Consumer Confidence Report:
  • Lake Nacimiento Water – Improved Water Quality and Water Supply Reliability

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Paso Robles Water Division safe to drink?
City of Paso Robles Water Division has a D safety grade based on 8 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Paso Robles Water Division's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Paso Robles Water Division serve?
City of Paso Robles Water Division serves approximately 31,176 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is City of Paso Robles Water Division's water source?
City of Paso Robles Water Division draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Paso Robles Water Division's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0058 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Paso Robles Water Division's service area?
The City of Paso Robles Water Division service area has a median household income of $91,643. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Paso Robles Water Division get its water?
City of Paso Robles Water Division's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Paso Robles Water Division (EPA ID: CA4010007) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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