01The verdict: is Tabonuco water safe?
Tabonuco's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (72.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 708 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
7 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 ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓30 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 ↓Tabonuco's drinking water received a grade of B- (72.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 708 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 122 violations on record, including 25 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
Tabonuco ranks #22 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. As a small community water system, Tabonuco may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 30 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Tabonuco's water
Every contaminant flagged in Tabonuco, 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. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
03Tabonuco'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 122 violations on record, including 25 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
6 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 3 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 1 ppb (2006) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Tabonuco's water comes from
Tabonuco'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.
708 people
Residents served across Tabonuco'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 708 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONTE DEL ESTADO | PR0003523 | 708 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Tabonuco
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Tabonuco's drinking water supply.
05How Tabonuco compares
Scores for nearby Puerto Rico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Puerto Rico average (39/100)
Tabonuco scores 72.2/100 — 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.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Tabonuco's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Tabonuco's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Tabonuco 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 Tabonuco, PR tap water safe to drink?
Tabonuco's water quality earned a grade of B- (72.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #22 out of 101 cities tested in Puerto Rico.
What contaminants are in Tabonuco's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 122 violations are on record.
How is Tabonuco'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 Tabonuco?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Tabonuco's water come from?
Tabonuco's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 708 residents.
What health violations has Tabonuco's water system had?
Tabonuco has 25 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
How does Tabonuco's water compare to other cities?
Tabonuco ranks #22 out of 101 cities in Puerto Rico (better than 78% of state cities) and #10293 out of 15382 cities nationally (33th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Tabonuco's small water system affect quality?
Tabonuco's system serves approximately 708 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 122 violations on record.