Is Santa Nella, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
91.2/100
waterverge.com Santa Nella, CA — Water Quality Report
Santa Nella's drinking water received a grade of A (91.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,211 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 20 violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Santa Nella's water
Santa Nella ranks #113 out of 694 cities in California 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.
As a small community water system, Santa Nella may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Santa Nella, CA water safe to drink?
Santa Nella's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,211 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Santa Nella
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Santa Nella's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.2/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3592). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4683). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: CARBON, TOTAL.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Santa Nella's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Santa Nella's water system has 20 total violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Sonoma County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Russian R A Digger Bend Nr Healdsburg, Russian R Nr Healdsburg, Dry C Nr Mouth Nr Healdsburg, Russian R Nr Windsor, Laguna De Santa Rosa C Nr Sebastopol.
Where does Santa Nella's water come from?
Santa Nella's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,211 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Russian R A Digger Bend Nr Healdsburg (river), Russian R Nr Healdsburg (river), Dry C Nr Mouth Nr Healdsburg (river), Russian R Nr Windsor (river), Laguna De Santa Rosa C Nr Sebastopol (river).
What Santa Nella residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Santa Nella's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Santa Nella
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Santa Nella, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
INGOMAR PACKING LOS BANOS, CA93635 | — | — | 4.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Sonoma County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Santa Nella compares by contaminant
Explore where Santa Nella ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Santa Nella's water comes from
Santa Nella's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 2,211 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Santa Nella
Santa Nella is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Santa Nella
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SANTA NELLA COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | CA2410018 | 2,211 | SW |
How Santa Nella compares
Full California rankings →Santa Nella's score of 91.2/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View California rankings →About Santa Nella, CA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Santa Nella's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Merced
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Nella, CA tap water safe to drink?
Santa Nella's water quality earned a grade of A (91.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #113 out of 694 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Santa Nella's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 20 violations are on record.
How is Santa Nella'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 Santa Nella?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Santa Nella's water come from?
Santa Nella's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,211 residents.
What health violations has Santa Nella's water system had?
Santa Nella has 15 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2014. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Santa Nella's water compare to other cities?
Santa Nella ranks #113 out of 694 cities in California (better than 84% of state cities) and #1820 out of 15744 cities nationally (88th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Santa Nella's small water system affect quality?
Santa Nella's system serves approximately 2,211 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 20 violations on record.