Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
PADRE DAM MWD
PADRE DAM MWD delivers tap water graded C (67/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 93,980 residents in SANTEE, California using surface water (purchased). The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 619-258-4673.
Is SANTEE tap water safe to drink?
PADRE DAM MWD delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (67/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 93,980 residents in SANTEE, drawing from surface water (purchased).
Public testing data identifies 12 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, Dibromoacetic acid, Chloroform, Dichloroacetic acid, Bromoform, Trichloroacetic acid, Chromium (hexavalent), Bromochloromethane. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for SANTEE residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for PADRE DAM MWD.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 36.2 ppb, 362x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 11.3 ppb, 189x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 17.8 ppb, 118x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact PADRE DAM MWD
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Recommended water filters for SANTEE
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 67/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
36.2 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 362× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
11.3 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 189× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
17.8 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 118× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
5.64 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 94× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
5.63 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 56× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.552 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 18× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
4.02 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 10× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
1.18 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 5.9× over |
| Bromoform Disinfection byproduct |
2.43 ppb | 0.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 4.9× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.388 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.9× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.043 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.2× over |
| Bromochloromethane Other |
0.085 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.4× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
83.6 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum Other |
3.39 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
1.53 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
0.986 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
0.725 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.664 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Lithium Other |
16.8 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
PADRE DAM MWD service area
This water system serves 1 community in San Diego County, California. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for SANTEE water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.