Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

UTILITY

Pajaro Community Services District

location

Monterey County, California

serves

6,500

source

Groundwater

data

2018-2023

Overview

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the California State Water Resources Control Board, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (April 2024 - June 2024), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Contaminants Detected

Arsenic

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.300 ppb

75x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.004 ppb

Arsenic

Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.

Arsenic was found at 75 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.004 ppb or less

This Utility

0.3 ppb

Legal Limit

10 ppb

National Average

0.624 ppb

State Average

0.899 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Bromodichloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.250 ppb

4.2x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.06 ppb

Bromodichloromethane

Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Bromodichloromethane was found at 4.2 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

0.25 ppb

National Average

5.89 ppb

State Average

5.64 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Bromoform

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 3.19 ppb

6.4x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.5 ppb

Bromoform

Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Bromoform was found at 6.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.5 ppb or less

This Utility

3.19 ppb

National Average

1.44 ppb

State Average

3.85 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform is based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer, harm to reproduction and child development, and change to fetal growth and development .

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromoacetic acid

Potential Effect:

This Utility: 0.400 ppb

13x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.03 ppb

Dibromoacetic acid

Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dibromoacetic acid was found at 13 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.03 ppb or less

This Utility

0.4 ppb

National Average

1.13 ppb

State Average

1.94 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.03 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Dibromochloromethane

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 1.54 ppb

15x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Dibromochloromethane

Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dibromochloromethane was found at 15 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

1.54 ppb

National Average

3.55 ppb

State Average

6.38 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was based on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 36.2 ppb

362x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 362 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

36.2 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

19.8 ppb

State Average

35.5 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 4.13 ppb

28x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.15 ppb

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 28 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

4.13 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.1 ppb

State Average

27.1 ppb

Health Risks

The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.


† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.

Asbestos

This Utility: 2.00 MFL

No EWG Health Guideline

Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber introduced into water by the dissolution of asbestos-containing minerals and from decay of asbestos cement in water mains. Asbestos causes cancer when ingested or inhaled.

How your levels compare

This Utility

2 MFL

Legal Limit

7 MFL

National Average

0.01 MFL

State Average

0 MFL

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

MFL = million fibers per liter

Pollution Sources

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Barium

This Utility: 27.7 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 700 ppb

Barium

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

700 ppb or less

This Utility

27.7 ppb

Legal Limit

2,000 ppb

National Average

39.5 ppb

State Average

31 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Bromide

This Utility: 75.0 ppb

No EWG Health Guideline

Bromide

Bromide is a naturally occurring element found in surface waters and groundwater. During drinking water treatment, bromide can combine with chlorine or other disinfectants, contributing to the formation of toxic tap water disinfection byproducts.

How your levels compare

This Utility

75 ppb

National Average

52.2 ppb

State Average

83.5 ppb

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chromium (total)

This Utility: 2.28 ppb

No EWG Health Guideline

Chromium (total)

Chromium is a naturally occurring metal, but industrial uses can elevate its levels in water. One form, hexavalent chromium, causes cancer. Total chromium is not a good indicator of the amount of hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

How your levels compare

This Utility

2.28 ppb

Legal Limit

100 ppb

National Average

0.471 ppb

State Average

0.361 ppb

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Fluoride

This Utility: 0.200 ppm

No EWG Health Guideline

Fluoride

Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems to prevent cavities and support oral health in people.

In 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation of an optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, or ppm, added to drinking water based on the health benefits of tooth decay prevention. Studies have shown that fluoride added to community water systems at this level reduces dental cavities, especially in children.

And studies have conclusively shown that fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash can also provide these benefits.

How your levels compare

This Utility

0.2 ppm

Legal Limit

4 ppm

National Average

0.49 ppm

State Average

0.47 ppm

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppm = parts per million

Pollution Sources

Industry

Treatment Byproducts

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Manganese

This Utility: 26.8 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 100 ppb

Manganese

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

100 ppb or less

This Utility

26.8 ppb

National Average

8.66 ppb

State Average

4.56 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Ion Exchange

Selenium

This Utility: 0.425 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 30 ppb

Selenium

Selenium is an essential element in diets. But too much selenium can decrease thyroid hormone production and cause hair loss, skin lesions and brittle fingernails.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

30 ppb or less

This Utility

0.425 ppb

Legal Limit

50 ppb

National Average

0.29 ppb

State Average

0.298 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 30 ppb for selenium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against hair loss and nail damage.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Silver

This Utility: 0.600 ppb

No EWG Health Guideline

Silver

Silver occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and can be added to water as a biocide that inhibits growth of bacteria and algae. Increasingly, the use of antimicrobial nano-sized silver particles in consumer products contributes to silver in water sources used for drinking water.

How your levels compare

This Utility

0.6 ppb

National Average

0.0499 ppb

State Average

0.00474 ppb

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Trichloroacetic acid

This Utility: 0.125 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb

Trichloroacetic acid

Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

0.125 ppb

National Average

6.57 ppb

State Average

3.71 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to reproduction and child development.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Uranium

This Utility: 0.15 pCi/L

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.43 pCi/L

Uranium

Uranium is a known human carcinogen. The federal legal limit for uranium is set at 30 micrograms per liter (corresponding to parts per billion), but utilities can also report uranium in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is a measure of radioactivity in water. EWG translated all uranium results to pCi/L using a conversion factor developed by the EPA. With this conversion approach, the limit of 30 ppb corresponds to 20 pCi/L. Drinking water with this much uranium would cause more than 4.6 cancer cases in a population of 100,000. California set a public health goal for uranium of 0.43 pCi/L.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.43 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.15 pCi/L

Legal Limit

20 pCi/L

National Average

1.03 pCi/L

State Average

1.91 pCi/L

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.43 pCi/L for uranium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. Three most common uranium isotopes are U-234, U-235 and U-238. All isotopes of uranium are radioactive, and the total radioactivity depends on the ratio of isotopes. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2023.

pCi/L = picocuries per liter

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.

Other Contaminants Tested

Chemicals tested for but not detected:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropene, 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic aci, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin), 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, 2-Chloroethylvinyl ether, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA), 4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA), 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTSA), 8:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (8:2 FTSA), 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldrin, Aluminum, Antimony, Atrazine, Bentazon (Basagran), Benzene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Beryllium, Bromacil, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Butanoic acid, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoro, Cadmium, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chloroethane, Chloroform, Chloromethane, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, Cyanide, Dalapon, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Diazinon (Spectracide), Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichloroacetic acid, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dieldrin, Dimethoate, Dinoseb, Diquat, Endothall, Endrin, Ethyl tert-butyl ether, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, Glyphosate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), Isopropyl ether, Isopropylbenzene, Lindane, m-Dichlorobenzene, Mercury (inorganic), Methomyl, Methoxychlor, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Molinate, Monobromoacetic acid, Monochloroacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene), MTBE, n-Butylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene, Naphthalene, Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrite, Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, Oxamyl (Vydate), p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, Pentachlorophenol, Perchlorate, Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS), Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Picloram, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Propachlor, Propanoic acid, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluorome, Radium, combined (-226 & -228), sec-Butylbenzene, Simazine, Styrene, tert-Amyl methyl ether, tert-Butylbenzene, Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), Thallium, Thiobencarb, Toluene, Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Trichlorotrifluoroethane, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Find A Filter

Utility: 

Pajaro Community Services District
view utility

Carbon Filters

FILTERS 6 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+3 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Reduced maintenance

cons

  • Does not remove all contaminants

Reverse Osmosis

FILTERS 7 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+9 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Most effective

cons

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Requires more maintenance
  • Wastes water

Other Considerations

Ion Exchange

Pros: Softens hard water, Reduces some contaminants

Cons: Doesn’t remove all contaminants

Whole-House Filters

Pros: Useful for reducing radiologicals and TCE

Cons: Expensive to install and maintain, Risk of bacterial contamination

Distillation

Pros: Removes heavy metals and harmful microbes

Cons: Does not reduce most contaminants

Explore filter options for each contaminant. See which technologies are effective at reducing specific contaminants to help you make an informed decision on the best water treatment solution for your needs.

CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Arsenic
Bromodichloromethane
Bromoform
Dibromoacetic acid
Dibromochloromethane
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Asbestos
Barium
Bromide
Chromium (total)
Fluoride
Manganese
Selenium
Silver
Trichloroacetic acid
Uranium, combined (pCi/L)