Santa Barbara County, California

Arsenic: 15 of 226 sampled wells (7%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 134 of 1260 sampled wells (11%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1927-10-06 to 2023-08-31; updated 2026-10-17. Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well.

What wells in this county have measured for arsenic and nitrate. A local picture only: test your own well to know your water.

Arsenic

15 of 226 sampled wells (7%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well): 0.865 µg/L
90th percentile: 8.1 µg/L
Highest: 67.1 µg/L
Non-detects: 39 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 464, 1958-04-25 to 2021-06-29
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Nitrate

134 of 1260 sampled wells (11%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well): 0.904 mg/L as N
90th percentile: 11 mg/L as N
Highest: Withheld for review: 2 wells' latest result was above 100 mg/L as N, far outside the usual range. They are still counted as above the limit.
Non-detects: 165 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 6097, 1927-10-06 to 2023-08-31
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Includes monitoring, research and private wells reported to the Water Quality Portal. Non-detects count only when the lab's detection limit is at or below the EPA limit. Method: data rules.

What to do next

Test your own well. County numbers cannot tell you what is in your water. See which tests fit your well.
Use a lab certified by California. Certified labs in California.
Compare your results with the EPA limits (arsenic 10 µg/L, nitrate 10 mg/L as N). If a result is above a limit, contact your county or state health department.
If a result is high: arsenic guide · nitrate guide · bacteria guide · salesperson checklist.
Test again every year for bacteria and nitrate. Get a yearly reminder.