WaterVerge

Is Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: 090600148
Overall Score
48 / 100
Violations
17 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#623 of 694 in California Top 86% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
48/100
waterverge.com
D 48/100

Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA — Water Quality Report

Santa Rosa Rancheria's drinking water received a grade of D (48 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using purchased ground water.

Lead levels were measured at 3.4 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 117 violations on record, including 25 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Santa Rosa Rancheria's water

Santa Rosa Rancheria ranks #623 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Santa Rosa Rancheria purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, Santa Rosa Rancheria may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 33 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
48 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 3.4 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Santa Rosa Rancheria'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 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using groundwater (wells).

17
Active Violations
3.4 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Santa Rosa Rancheria

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Santa Rosa Rancheria's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice, Chlorine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Public Notice.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3592). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3591). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Santa Rosa Rancheria's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.4 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Santa Rosa Rancheria's water system has 117 total violations on record, including 25 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 33 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 Chlorine Resolved
Apr 2025 Public Notice Open
Apr 2025 Chlorine Resolved
Apr 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Mar 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Kings County has experienced 9 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 Nf Kings R A 24Th Ave Br Nr Lemoore.

SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-3592
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-3591
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4308

Where does Santa Rosa Rancheria's water come from?

Santa Rosa Rancheria's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Nf Kings R A 24Th Ave Br Nr Lemoore (river).

What Santa Rosa Rancheria residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Santa Rosa Rancheria's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Santa Rosa Rancheria'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
3.4 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 23% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

117
Total violations
25
Health-based
17
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

117 Total
17 Active
25 Health-based
100 Resolved
22 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
36
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
19
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
16
Total Coliform Rule
14
Revised Total Coliform Rule
9
Apr 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Mar 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Feb 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Sep 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jun 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2000 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2025 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Apr 2025
Showing 20 of 117 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Mar 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Kings County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Mar 2023
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #3592
Jan 2023
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #3591
Apr 2017
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4308
Jan 2011
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND DEBRIS AND MUD FLOWS
Flood FEMA #1952
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3248
Feb 1983
COASTAL STORMS, FLOODS, SLIDES & TORNADOES
Coastal Storm FEMA #677

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.4 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 5.2 ppb from 1997 (8.6 ppb) to 2025 (3.4 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Santa Rosa Rancheria compares by contaminant

Explore where Santa Rosa Rancheria ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
1,000
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Santa Rosa Rancheria's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Santa Rosa Rancheria purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Santa Rosa Rancheria's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by native american ownership and serves approximately 1,000 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Santa Rosa Rancheria

Santa Rosa Rancheria is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Nf Kings R A 24Th Ave Br Nr Lemoore
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Santa Rosa Rancheria

System Name PWSID Population Source
Santa Rosa Rancheria 090600148 1,000 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Santa Rosa Rancheria compares

Full California rankings →

Santa Rosa Rancheria's score of 48/100 is below the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Santa Rosa Rancheria (this city)
48
Oakland
77.9
San Diego
39.7
Sacramento
31.2
California avg
57
City Profile

About Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA

Wikipedia →

Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located 7.5 miles (12 km) west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet (70 m). It is part of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 27,038 at the 2020 Census.

Economic Profile
$78,366
Median Income
$300,386
Median Home Value
$1,347/mo
Median Rent
11%
Unemployment
Community
31.8
Median Age
1,181
People / sq mi
21.4%
College Educated
53.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Rosa Rancheria, CA tap water safe to drink?

Santa Rosa Rancheria's water quality earned a grade of D (48/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #623 out of 694 cities tested in California.

What contaminants are in Santa Rosa Rancheria's water?

Lead was measured at 3.4 ppb (90th percentile). 117 violations are on record.

How is Santa Rosa Rancheria'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 Rosa Rancheria?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Santa Rosa Rancheria's water come from?

Santa Rosa Rancheria's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 residents.

What health violations has Santa Rosa Rancheria's water system had?

Santa Rosa Rancheria has 25 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 17 violations remain unresolved.

Is Santa Rosa Rancheria's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Santa Rosa Rancheria uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 117 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Santa Rosa Rancheria's water compare to other cities?

Santa Rosa Rancheria ranks #623 out of 694 cities in California (better than 10% of state cities) and #13540 out of 15744 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Santa Rosa Rancheria's small water system affect quality?

Santa Rosa Rancheria's system serves approximately 1,000 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 117 violations on record.