Santa Cruz County, California

Arsenic: 2 of 115 sampled wells (2%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 16 of 178 sampled wells (9%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1971-06-09 to 2023-02-01; 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

2 of 115 sampled wells (2%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well): 1 µg/L
90th percentile: 3 µg/L
Highest: 23.4 µg/L
Non-detects: 22 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 192, 1971-08-04 to 2023-02-01
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Nitrate

16 of 178 sampled wells (9%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well): 0.055 mg/L as N
90th percentile: 8 mg/L as N
Highest: 52 mg/L as N
Non-detects: 66 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 440, 1971-06-09 to 2023-02-01
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.