01The verdict: is Barrancas water safe?
Barrancas's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,379 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
10 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Top half in Puerto Rico
Barrancas ranks #21 of 101 graded Puerto Rico cities.
See the comparison ↓1 violation in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Barrancas's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,379 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 190 violations on record, including 69 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
Barrancas ranks #21 out of 101 cities in Puerto Rico for water quality, placing it above average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Barrancas may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Barrancas's water
Every contaminant flagged in Barrancas, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 6.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
03Barrancas's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 190 violations on record, including 69 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 2 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 6 ppb (2014) — 40% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Barrancas's water comes from
Barrancas's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,379 people
Residents served across Barrancas's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,379 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARRANCAS NUEVO | PR0004625 | 2,379 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Barrancas
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Barrancas's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Barrancas's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Drought
Barranquitas Municipio is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Barrancas compares
Scores for nearby Puerto Rico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Puerto Rico average (39/100)
Barrancas scores 72.5/100 — above the Puerto Rico average of 39/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
38.5 / 100FToa Alta, PR
38.5 / 100FMayaguez, PR
42.1 / 100FPonce, PR
34.9 / 100FAguadilla, PR
38.3 / 100FRincon, PR
38.3 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Barrancas's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Barrancas alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Barrancas, PR tap water safe to drink?
Barrancas's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #21 out of 101 cities tested in Puerto Rico.
What contaminants are in Barrancas's water?
Lead was measured at 6.0 ppb (90th percentile). 190 violations are on record.
How is Barrancas's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Barrancas?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Barrancas's water come from?
Barrancas's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,379 residents.
What health violations has Barrancas's water system had?
Barrancas has 69 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 10 violations remain unresolved.
How does Barrancas's water compare to other cities?
Barrancas ranks #21 out of 101 cities in Puerto Rico (better than 79% of state cities) and #10174 out of 15382 cities nationally (34th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Barrancas's small water system affect quality?
Barrancas's system serves approximately 2,379 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 190 violations on record.