Monterey County Water Quality

Monterey County, California

Water Grade

F

Water Score

28.0

Violations

332

State Rank

#45

of 58 (1 = best)

Water Quality Details

Water Quality Grade

F

Based on EPA compliance history and violation data

Water Score

28/100

Higher = better quality

Health Violations

332

Health-based violations

Violation Rate

75.5%

Systems with violations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the water quality in Monterey County, California?
Monterey County, California has a water quality grade of F with a score of 28.0/100, based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System data. The county has 332 health-based drinking water violations on record.
Are there any water violations in Monterey County?
Monterey County has 332 health-based drinking water violations recorded by the EPA. Health-based violations indicate instances where contaminant levels exceeded EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Violations may have been resolved — check with your local water utility for current status.
How does Monterey County water compare to the California average?
Monterey County's water quality score of 28.0/100 is lower than the California state average of 44.6. The average water quality grade across California is D, based on data from 58 counties with available water quality data.
Is tap water safe to drink in Monterey County?
Based on EPA data, Monterey County has a water quality grade of F (28.0/100). This indicates below-average water quality with significant compliance issues. Residents may want to consider home water filtration. For the most up-to-date information, contact your local water utility or review your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
Why does Monterey County have so many water violations?
Monterey County has 332 health-based drinking water violations on record from the EPA SDWIS database. A higher violation count can result from aging infrastructure, underfunded water utilities, agricultural runoff contamination, or industrial pollution. Counties with more water systems may also see more violations simply due to scale. Residents concerned about water quality should consider independent water testing and home filtration systems.
How does Monterey County rank for water quality in California?
Monterey County ranks #45 out of 58 counties in California by water quality score (1 = best). With a score of 28.0/100, it falls in the bottom third of counties statewide. Rankings are based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data including health-based violations and compliance records.

Data Source

Water quality data sourced from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) via the ECHO enforcement database. Scores reflect compliance history and health-based violation counts.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not health, legal, or professional advice. For concerns about your specific water supply, contact your local water utility.