What was found in Goleta's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 100000 µg/L 1000% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 4500 µg/L 45% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 650 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 170 µg/L 85% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 130 µg/L 10% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 100 µg/L 125% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 68.7 µg/L 3.4% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 61 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 53.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 40 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 38 µg/L 38% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 35 µg/L 58% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 34 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 25 µg/L 2.5% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 20 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 19 µg/L 38% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 16 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 15 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 13 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 11 µg/L 110% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 8.642 µg/L 29% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 7.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 6.4 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 3.3 µg/L 0.5% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 2.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.08 pCi/L 22% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 1 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Asbestos | 0.3900 MFL 5.6% of the EPA limit 7 MFL | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Pfpea | 0.0059 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0045 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0038 mg/L 25% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Goleta
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| GOLETA WATER DISTRICT | 84,462 |
| EL CAPITAN MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | 325 |
| EL RANCHO TAJIGUAS | 40 |
Frequently asked questions about Goleta tap water
Is Goleta tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 32 contaminants in the water serving Goleta. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Goleta?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Goleta, California to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Goleta's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Goleta include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Cyanide, Copper. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.