Tap Water Results

Is Seaside, CA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

California American Water – Monterey, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

3 public water systems serve parts of Seaside. The largest, California American Water – Monterey, serves 128,928 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

California American Water – Monterey

128,928 people · Groundwater under influence of surface water · EPA ID CA2710004

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
6.95 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
6.1 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
7.45 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 92% of the California systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 86% of the California systems EPA tested.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full California American Water – Monterey results

Across California, 129 of 691 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. California results.

Seaside homes and lead pipes

70%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
10%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
65%
of households rent (California 44%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Seaside city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Seaside

  • Marina Coast Water District
    38,918 people · Groundwater · California · reported ZIPs here
    Lithium above screening level
  • Seaside Municipal Water System
    2,800 people · Groundwater · California · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Monterey 4 mi
California American Water – Monterey
California American Water – MontereyAbove limit1 ppb
Salinas 11 mi
California Water Service Salinas
California Water Service SalinasNone above limits1.2 ppb
Watsonville 20 mi
City of Watsonville
City of WatsonvilleAbove limit1.2 ppb
Santa Cruz 27 mi
Santa Cruz Water Department
Santa Cruz Water DepartmentNone above limits0 ppb
Hollister 28 mi
City of Hollister
City of HollisterNone above limits1.4 ppb
Gilroy 29 mi
City of Gilroy
City of GilroyAbove limit2 ppb
Seaside ZIP codes (1)
  • 93955

Questions

Is Seaside tap water safe to drink?

California American Water – Monterey has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Seaside, CA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Seaside. The largest is California American Water – Monterey (128,928 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Seaside tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at California American Water – Monterey. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Seaside homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 70% of Seaside homes as built before 1980 (California: 56%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. California American Water – Monterey's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.