Health Violations Found CA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Butano Canyon Mutual

EPA ID: CA4100503 · 150 people served · 1 ZIP code

Over the tracked period, Butano Canyon Mutual logged 9 EPA violations — each has been remedied, and the system now supplies 150 people in good standing.

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

C · 63
Avg Safety Score
150
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
9
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0087 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$1.3M
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2024) to 1 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Butano Canyon Mutual Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$111,351
Median Household Income
1,389
Service Area Population
15%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
10th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Butano Canyon Mutual serves a community with a median household income of $111,351 and an estimated 1,389 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% 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

Butano Canyon Mutual'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
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

51 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
19 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 73% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Butano Canyon Mutual compares to EPA limits

Mercury 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.002 mg/L
Kidney damage, neurological impairment
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

Mercury at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.002 mg/L. Kidney damage, neurological impairment. Consider 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.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Mercury was detected in this water system. activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in California

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Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,200
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,900

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 Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,900 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Butano Canyon Mutual (EPA ID: CA4100503) is a community water system in California that serves approximately 150 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 94060 in Pescadero.

Average Home Safety Score: C (63/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2024 Mercury Health-based Resolved
November 15, 2023 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2023 Mercury Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Mercury Inorganic 4 Yes
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Health Risk Details

Mercury (Inorganic) (EPA limit: 0.002 mg/L)

Kidney damage, neurological impairment At-risk groups: pregnant women, developing fetuses, people with impaired kidney function.

Removal methods: activated carbon (GAC), coagulation/filtration, 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
94060 0.0087 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Butano Canyon Mutual (CA4100503) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Butano Canyon Mutual water safe to drink?

Butano Canyon Mutual has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Butano Canyon Mutual serve?

Butano Canyon Mutual serves approximately 150 people across 1 ZIP code in California.

Where does Butano Canyon Mutual get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
96
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: 150
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Butano Canyon Mutual safe to drink?
Butano Canyon Mutual has a C safety grade based on 9 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Butano Canyon Mutual's water?
Detected contaminants include Mercury, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Butano Canyon Mutual serve?
Butano Canyon Mutual serves approximately 150 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Butano Canyon Mutual's water source?
Butano Canyon Mutual draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Butano Canyon Mutual's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0087 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Butano Canyon Mutual's service area?
The Butano Canyon Mutual service area has a median household income of $111,351. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Butano Canyon Mutual get its water?
Butano Canyon Mutual'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

Butano Canyon Mutual (EPA ID: CA4100503) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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