01The verdict: is Canovanas water safe?
Canovanas's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,883 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
20 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 ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓42 violations 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 ↓Canovanas's drinking water received a grade of D (48 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,883 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 602 violations on record, including 68 health-based violations. 20 remain unresolved.
Canovanas ranks #45 out of 101 cities in Puerto Rico for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Canovanas may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 42 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Canovanas's water
Every contaminant flagged in Canovanas, 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 |
03Canovanas'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 602 violations on record, including 68 health-based violations. 20 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 8 ppb since 1992. Latest reading: 6 ppb (2014) — 40% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Canovanas's water comes from
Canovanas'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.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,883 people
Residents served across Canovanas'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 1,883 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUBUY | PR0002611 | 1,733 | Surface Water |
| CUBUY-MARINES | PR0115011 | 150 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Canovanas
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Canovanas's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Canovanas'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
Juncos 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 Canovanas compares
Scores for nearby Puerto Rico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Puerto Rico average (39/100)
Canovanas scores 48/100 — 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 Canovanas'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 Canovanas 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 Canovanas, PR tap water safe to drink?
Canovanas's water quality earned a grade of D (48/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #45 out of 101 cities tested in Puerto Rico.
What contaminants are in Canovanas's water?
Lead was measured at 6.0 ppb (90th percentile). 602 violations are on record.
How is Canovanas'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 Canovanas?
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 Canovanas's water come from?
Canovanas's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,883 residents.
What health violations has Canovanas's water system had?
Canovanas has 68 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 20 violations remain unresolved.
How does Canovanas's water compare to other cities?
Canovanas ranks #45 out of 101 cities in Puerto Rico (better than 55% of state cities) and #13270 out of 15382 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.