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Portola Valley Water Quality

Latest water quality information for Portola Valley, California

Last update on March 2025

Ok

Acceptable water with improvement potential.

Exceeds 0 EPA limits and 7 recommended standards.

Water Provider
city of palo alto
Owner Type
L (Local Government)
Population Served
67,973
Data Sources
2012-2025

Contaminants exceeding EPA limits

What it means: This refers to substances in the water that are found at levels higher than what the EPA allows. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is a U.S. government agency that sets legal limits for harmful contaminants to protect public health. Exceeding these limits means the water may pose health risks based on federal safety standards.

Good news! No contaminants were found to exceed EPA limits.

Contaminants exceeding recommended standards

What it means: This refers to substances in the water that are above health-based guidelines set by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These standards, while not always legally enforceable, are based on scientific research to protect health. Exceeding them may indicate potential health concerns.

Arsenic

0.2000 ppb
50.0x
Recommended: 0.004000 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer

Bromodichloromethane

1 ppb
16.7x
Recommended: 0.0600 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer

Chloroform

21.30 ppb
53.2x
Recommended: 0.4000 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer

Lead

1 ppb
5.0x
Recommended: 0.2000 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Neurotoxicity

Lead Level

1 ppb
5.0x
Recommended: 0.2000 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Neurotoxicity

Total Thms

23.50 ppb
156.7x
Recommended: 0.1500 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer

Turbidity

0.4000 NTU
1.3x
Recommended: 0.3000 NTU
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Infection risk

Other Detected Contaminants

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Recommended Status
Aluminum 45.60 ppb 200 ppb 600 ppb Within limits
Barium 12.70 ppb 2000 ppb 2000 ppb Within limits
Calcium 8.20 ppm Not established 80 ppm Within limits
Chlorate 82.50 ppb Not established 210 ppb Within limits
Chloride 7.50 ppm 250 ppm 250 ppm Within limits
Cobalt 0.5000 ppb Not established 70 ppb Within limits
Conductivity 93.70 µS/cm Not established 800 µS/cm Within limits
Copper 48.50 ppb 1300 ppb 300 ppb Within limits
Fluoride 646 ppb 4000 ppb 2000 ppb Within limits
Iron 66.80 ppb 300 ppb 300 ppb Within limits
Magnesium 2.20 ppm Not established 30 ppm Within limits
Manganese 4.20 ppb 50 ppb 50 ppb Within limits
Molybdenum 0.5000 ppb Not established 40 ppb Within limits
Nickel 4 ppb Not established 70 ppb Within limits
Odor 3 TON 3 TON 3 TON Within limits
Ph Level 8.40 pH units 8.50 pH units 8.50 pH units Within limits
Selenium 0.2000 ppb 50 ppb 30 ppb Within limits
Silica 5.40 ppm Not established 25 ppm Within limits
Sodium 11 ppm Not established 20 ppm Within limits
Strontium 72.20 ppb Not established 1500 ppb Within limits
Sulfate 10.30 ppm 250 ppm 250 ppm Within limits
Total Dissolved Solids 70.70 ppm 500 ppm 500 ppm Within limits
Zinc 53.40 ppb 5000 ppb 5000 ppb Within limits
No additional contaminants detected.

How to best protect from water pollution?

Reduce your water pollution exposure in California

Carbon Filter

Carbon filters are effective at removing many common contaminants including chlorine, sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and improves taste and odor.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis systems can remove up to 99% of dissolved contaminants from water including heavy metals, fluoride, nitrates, and arsenic.