By Jon Chown
SOQUEL — A new water quality report from the Soquel Creek Water District says tests found elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, also known as chrome-6, in several wells. However, local drinking water did meet state and federal health standards in 2025.
The annual Consumer Confidence Report, released by the district, covers drinking water for customers in Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Rio Del Mar, Seascape, La Selva Beach and Opal Cliffs. The district serves more than 40,000 residents through 15 active groundwater wells connected to the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin.
According to the report, chrome-6 levels exceeded California’s new maximum contaminant level in three of the district’s 15 active production wells. The report said water systems the size of Soquel Creek Water District are not considered out of compliance until after Oct. 1, 2026. District officials said they are already working on a solution.
“Soquel Creek Water District has been proactive in preparing for the new chrome-6 requirements. We’ve already received State approval of our compliance plan to meet the new standard. Our team has worked diligently to pilot treatment technologies, complete planning and design, and move the project forward to the construction phase, which will begin this year,” said Brice Dahlmeier, associate engineer and project manager for Soquel Creek Water District.
According to the report, construction of the treatment facility will start in the fall.
Chrome-6 is a form of chromium that can occur naturally in rocks and soil but can also come from industrial pollution. The chemical became widely known after a legal case in Southern California involving groundwater contamination.
The report said testing found chrome-6 levels ranging from “not detected” to 17 micrograms per liter in 2025. California’s new limit is 10 micrograms per liter.
Despite the chrome-6 issue, the district said all other tested contaminants met drinking water standards.
The district tested for 106 different substances in 2025, including arsenic, nitrate, bacteria, pesticides and disinfection byproducts. The report said all samples complied with state and federal rules aside from the new chrome-6 regulation.
Water in the district comes entirely from groundwater pumped from two underground aquifers: the Purisima Formation and the Aromas Red Sands Aquifer. The report said water from the Purisima Formation naturally contains higher levels of iron and manganese and is treated before reaching customers.
The report also described possible pollution risks to the groundwater basin. According to the district, the Aromas Red Sands Aquifer is most vulnerable to septic systems, sewer leaks, fertilizer runoff and pesticides. The Purisima Formation faces risks from dry cleaners, gas stations, auto repair shops, sewer systems and underground storage tanks.
The district said lead testing at 15 local schools was completed as part of California’s school drinking water safety program. Officials also reported that all district-owned and customer-owned service lines have been classified as non-lead.
The report noted that small amounts of contaminants can still be found in drinking water and that their presence does not always mean the water is unsafe. Federal and state agencies set limits on contaminants to protect public health.
The district is also continuing work on its Pure Water Soquel project, which is designed to recharge groundwater supplies and stop seawater intrusion into the basin. The project uses highly treated recycled water that is purified and pumped back underground.