South County Residents Notified of Chromium-6 in Tap Water

Costly treatment projects and potential rate hikes loom as county grapples with cancer-linked chemical

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Santa Cruz County residents are being notified that more than 20 public groundwater sources, mostly in South County, recently tested above California's new limit for cancer-linked chromium-6. Larger water systems like Soquel Creek and Watsonville have state-approved plans to address the issue, but won't finish treatment until 2027-2030. Experts stress the risk is relatively low and county water remains generally clean, but the discovery has prompted costly mitigation efforts.

Why it matters

The presence of chromium-6 in South County's tap water raises public health concerns, as the chemical has been linked to cancer. The issue will require significant investments in water treatment infrastructure, which could lead to future rate hikes for consumers. The situation highlights the challenges local governments face in ensuring safe and affordable water supplies.

The details

Chromium-6, also known as the "Erin Brockovich chemical," was recently detected at levels exceeding California's new regulatory limit in more than 20 public groundwater sources in Santa Cruz County, primarily in the South County region. Larger water systems like Soquel Creek Water District and the City of Watsonville have state-approved plans to install treatment systems, but these projects won't be completed until 2027-2030. In the meantime, residents are being notified of the issue, and experts say the overall risk remains relatively low as the county's water supply is generally clean.

  • In early 2026, chromium-6 was detected above California's new regulatory limit in more than 20 public groundwater sources in Santa Cruz County.
  • Larger water systems have state-approved plans to install treatment systems, but the projects won't be completed until 2027-2030.

The players

Soquel Creek Water District

A public water agency serving the Soquel-Aptos area of Santa Cruz County that has a state-approved plan to address chromium-6 contamination.

City of Watsonville

A municipal water provider in Santa Cruz County that has a state-approved plan to install treatment systems for chromium-6 contamination.

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What’s next

Larger water systems like Soquel Creek and Watsonville will continue working on their state-approved plans to install treatment systems for chromium-6, with completion expected by 2027-2030.

The takeaway

The discovery of chromium-6 contamination in South County's tap water highlights the ongoing challenges local governments face in ensuring safe and affordable water supplies. While the overall risk is relatively low, the required mitigation efforts will be costly and could lead to future rate hikes for consumers.