Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 93455 Water Quality & Testing Report

Santa Maria, CA · Santa Barbara County County · Updated for 2026

Compiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 93455 (Santa Maria, CA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 93455 (Santa Maria, CA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (66/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 2.5 ppb lead. While treated by City of Santa Maria Utilities Department, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

Total Violations

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 1 unresolved violation. Contact City of Santa Maria Utilities Department for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 93455

Tap water in ZIP code 93455 (Santa Maria, CA) is distributed by City of Santa Maria Utilities Department (EPA ID: CA4210011), serving approximately 109,477 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 66/100.

Water System

City of Santa Maria Utilities Department

EPA ID: CA4210011

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

109,477 residents

County

Santa Barbara County County, California

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Lead Levels in ZIP 93455

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 2.5 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 93455 is 2.5 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 93455 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 45% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)

2.50 ppb (0.0025 mg/L)

Lead Exposure Risk Rating

Moderate

Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

45%

Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.

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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard7.5 GPG · 128 mg/L

Water in ZIP 93455 is Hard (128 mg/L / 7.5 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.

Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

7.5 GPG

Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

128 mg/L

Appliance Scaling Risk

High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: City of Santa Maria Utilities Department · PWSID: CA4210011

Verify on EPA.gov

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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

City of Santa Maria Utilities Department has recorded 5 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 1 violation remains unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)

Health-Based Violations

Unresolved Violations

Boil Water Advisories

Compliance Risk

Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Moderate based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 93455 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 6 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type

Surface Water

EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.36%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 93455

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 93455 served by City of Santa Maria Utilities Department can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

•Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
•Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
•Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by California State Water Resources Control Board.

Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in CA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 93455 Recommendations

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Some compliance concerns — take precautions

Your water has a moderate compliance history. Take steps to protect vulnerable family members.

⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →

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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 93455 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 93455?+

Tap water in 93455 (Santa Maria, CA) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.

How do I get my water tested in ZIP 93455 (Santa Maria, CA)?+

To test water quality in ZIP 93455, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in CA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact California State Water Resources Control Board for a list of certified regional labs.

How hard is the tap water in 93455?+

Tap water in 93455 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 128 mg/L (7.5 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.

Should I test private well water in 93455?+

Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 93455 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.

What is the lead level in 93455 tap water?+

The 90th percentile lead level in 93455 is 2.5 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.

Is there an active boil water notice in 93455?+

There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 93455. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.

Who provides tap water to 93455?+

Tap water in ZIP code 93455 is provided by City of Santa Maria Utilities Department (EPA ID: CA4210011), serving approximately 109,477 residents.

What water filter should I use in 93455?+

Based on water metrics for 93455, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 93455 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by City of Santa Maria Utilities Department. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →