What the Atwater records show
- Water quality and PFAS
- 1 candidate water system shown.Source date: Violations as of Q1 2026
- Air quality and emissions
- 3 monitoring records shown. Observation year: 2025.Source date: AQS data as of 2026
- Land and cleanup records
- 1 Superfund record shown; No brownfield records returned in this report.
- Infrastructure and incidents
- 1 pipeline incident record shown; 3 RMP facility records shown (earlier stored inventory, current location coverage unverified).Source date: PHMSA data as of Q1 2026
Water quality in Atwater
Check your water bill for your utility name and confirm the reporting year. See EPA’s guide to finding your annual water quality report.
Drinking Water Compliance
Drinking Water Compliance
Public water-system records for Atwater, CA from EPA SDWIS.
City of Atwater
Active monitoring or reporting issue detected in EPA SDWIS.
Reviewed: active/open records as of Q1 2026
City listed in EPA records · Serves 29,479 people
Data from EPA SDWIS
PFAS Screening
9
PFAS Screening
PFAS screening separates EPA UCMR5 drinking-water monitoring from nearby DoD PFAS investigation-site records; EPA samples shown are from Oct 2023 to May 2024.
Drinking Water PFAS Monitoring
EPA UCMR5 samples public water systems. These results are separate from nearby PFAS cleanup or investigation-site records.
9 PFAS sample results above EPA limits
Sample period: Oct 2023 to May 2024
UCMR5 results are sampled by public water system, not every household. Confirm your water provider before treating these as tap-water results for a specific address.
| Chemical | Concentration (µg/L) | EPA Limit (µg/L) | Sample date | Over Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS | 0.0590 | 0.0100 | 2024-05-07 | Yes |
| PFOS | 0.0450 | 0.0040 | 2024-05-07 | Yes |
| PFOA | 0.0330 | 0.0040 | 2024-05-07 | Yes |
| PFHxS | 0.0260 | 0.0100 | 2024-05-07 | Yes |
| PFHxS | 0.0190 | 0.0100 | 2023-10-31 | Yes |
| PFOS | 0.0140 | 0.0040 | 2024-05-07 | Yes |
| PFOA | 0.0110 | 0.0040 | 2024-05-07 | Yes |
| PFOA | 0.0096 | 0.0040 | 2023-10-31 | Yes |
| PFOS | 0.0095 | 0.0040 | 2023-10-31 | Yes |
PFAS detections below EPA limits.
Nearby PFAS Investigation Sites
DoD records are nearby site investigations, not Atwater drinking-water detections. Record names come from the source database and can be broad.
Castle Afb
Air Force · BRAC
Known detection in the DoD source record
Remedial investigation underway
Agricultural notifications (2023-2024): 60
Estimated investigation end date: 2032-09
Impaired Water Bodies
1
Impaired Water Bodies
EPA ATTAINS records identify assessed water bodies that do not meet water-quality standards for designated uses.
City of Winton-Bear Creek
Reported: Nov 2026
Health-relevant causes: Pesticides
Affected uses: Ecological
Data from EPA ATTAINS
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
1
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
NPDES permits regulate pollutant discharges into U.S. waterways. Facilities must report compliance quarterly.
Violation records
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Data from EPA ECHO
To investigate water contamination, check the sampling locations, dates and results below. For tap water records, see Drinking water quality above.
Reviewed: source records as of 2026
Air quality and emissions in Atwater
Review historical EPA air pollution records, including monitoring and facility emissions where available. For current conditions, check local air quality on AirNow.
EPA AirToxScreen — Estimated Cancer Risk
1
EPA AirToxScreen — Estimated Cancer Risk
Merced County
Assessment year: 2020
According to EPA, a cancer risk of 40-in-1-million means that for every 1 million people continuously exposed to these air toxics over a 70-year lifetime, an estimated 40 may develop cancer from that exposure. This is in addition to cancer risk from all other causes.
Top modeled source groups
Data from EPA AirToxScreen
Nonattainment Status
3
Nonattainment Status
EPA designates an area as nonattainment when air quality does not meet federal health-based standards (NAAQS) for a specific pollutant.
San Joaquin Valley: Ozone
NonattainmentExtreme8-Hour Ozone (2015 Standard)
Original designation: Aug 2018
Health effects (EPA): Respiratory inflammation, aggravation of asthma, reduced lung function (EPA)
San Joaquin Valley: PM2.5
NonattainmentSeriousPM-2.5 (2012 Standard)
Original designation: Apr 2015
Health effects (EPA): Cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, premature death (EPA)
San Joaquin Valley 1997 PM2.5 Annual: PM2.5
NonattainmentSeriousPM-2.5 (1997 Standard)
Original designation: Apr 2005
Health effects (EPA): Cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, premature death (EPA)
Data from EPA Green Book
Air Quality Monitoring (AQS)
Air Quality Monitoring (AQS)
EPA annual monitor summaries describe past measurements. For current air quality, see AirNow.
Merced-M St
Annual mean: 25.8 Micrograms/cubic meter (25 C)
Observation year: 2025
Annual mean: 7.7 Micrograms/cubic meter (LC)
Observation year: 2025
Merced-Vierra
Annual mean: 0.043 Parts per million
Observation year: 2025
Data from EPA AQS
Air Quality Violations or Noncompliance
Air Quality Violations or Noncompliance
Facilities regulated under the Clean Air Act. CAA HPV flags indicate serious noncompliance such as exceeding emission limits.
No facility records with active violation or noncompliance flags surfaced in EPA ECHO.
Reviewed: active/open records as of Q4 2025
Data from EPA ECHO
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
1
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
TRI releases are self-reported annual totals (calendar year 2024). Hover fugitive or stack for definitions.
Mb Sports
Reported: 2024
Land cleanup and hazardous waste records in Atwater
Superfund Sites
1
Superfund Sites
EPA records for current, proposed and formerly listed Superfund sites on the National Priorities List (NPL).
Open data source: Search EPA ECHOEPA FRS Registry ID 110025217085
Reported: Nov 2021
Reviewed: source query run Nov 2026
State Remediation & Cleanup Sites
3
State Remediation & Cleanup Sites
State environmental agencies maintain cleanup site databases that include state Superfund, voluntary cleanup, and brownfield remediation programs. These programs track additional sites beyond those on the federal NPL.
3 sites with active cleanup or investigation
860 APPLEGATE RD, ATWATER
1.0 miles away · MERCED County
Reported: Nov 2026
1775 Third Street, Atwater
0.5 miles away · MERCED County
Reported: Nov 2026
Patriotic Drive, Atwater
1.4 miles away · MERCED County
Reported: Nov 2026
Data from EPA ECHO
Hazardous Waste — RCRA Handlers
1
Hazardous Waste — RCRA Handlers
Facilities with hazardous-waste handler records under RCRA in the reviewed 5-mile city-center search area. Active handler status is separate from air, water, or other ECHO compliance violations, which are shown in their own sections.
Active RCRA handler records in the reviewed city search area
Underground Storage Tanks
Underground Storage Tanks
No release reports shown in this group.
Reviewed: active/open records as of 2018
Data from EPA UST Finder
Onsite Waste Disposal (TRI Land Releases)
1
Onsite Waste Disposal (TRI Land Releases)
Toxics Release Inventory data — chemicals disposed on-site at reporting facilities.
Dole Packaged Foods LLC
Open data source: View EPA TRI facility recordMSHA Mine and Extraction Sites
MSHA Mine and Extraction Sites
No MSHA mine or extraction site records shown for this report.
County radon potential
County radon potential
Merced County, CA
EPA Radon Zone Map (June 2024 release)
Merced County is EPA Radon Zone 3 (low potential). EPA defines Zone 3 counties as having predicted average indoor screening levels below 2 pCi/L.
Radon levels can vary from home to home, so EPA recommends testing the property to know its indoor level.
Infrastructure, incidents, and community health in Atwater
FEMA Flood Zones
FEMA Flood Zones
FEMA flood zones describe mapped flood hazards. Look up a specific address with FEMA.
No FEMA flood-zone records shown for this report.
EPA Risk Management Program Records
EPA Risk Management Program Records
Results use an earlier stored RMP inventory. Current EPA ECHO location coverage is unverified.
EPA ECHO lists facilities linked to the Risk Management Program. Results include facilities with locations that can be matched. Records may be historical. Current operations, chemical inventories, and recent accident history are unverified.
Pipeline Incidents
1
Pipeline Incidents
PHMSA tracks incidents involving natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Incidents include leaks, ruptures, and explosions.
No records dated within the last 5 years surfaced for this city report.
Reviewed: last 5 years
Data from PHMSA
Community Health Indicators
Community Health Indicators
Health outcomes from County Health Rankings. Values shown alongside state and national averages.
Merced County, CaliforniaPop. 290,014
County Health Rankings edition: 2024
Premature Death
- County
- 8,468
- State
- 6,373
- National
- 7,972
Poor or Fair Health
- County
- 23.6%
- State
- 15.8%
- National
- 14.2%
Poor Physical Health Days
- County
- 4.3
- State
- 3.1
- National
- 3.3
Poor Mental Health Days
- County
- 5.2
- State
- 4.7
- National
- 4.8
Adult Smoking
- County
- 15.2%
- State
- 8.8%
- National
- 15.0%
Adult Obesity
- County
- 33.0%
- State
- 27.8%
- National
- 34.0%
Air Pollution - Particulate Matter
- County
- 9.6
- State
- 7.1
- National
- 7.3
Drinking water violation indicator
- County
- Yes
- State
- N/A
- National
- N/A
Diabetes Prevalence
- County
- 13.2%
- State
- 10.8%
- National
- 9.6%
Life Expectancy
- County
- 76.9
- State
- 79.9
- National
- 77.6
| Indicator | County | State | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature Death | 8,468 | 6,373 | 7,972 |
| Poor or Fair Health | 23.6% | 15.8% | 14.2% |
| Poor Physical Health Days | 4.3 | 3.1 | 3.3 |
| Poor Mental Health Days | 5.2 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Adult Smoking | 15.2% | 8.8% | 15.0% |
| Adult Obesity | 33.0% | 27.8% | 34.0% |
| Air Pollution - Particulate Matter | 9.6 | 7.1 | 7.3 |
| Drinking water violation indicator | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Diabetes Prevalence | 13.2% | 10.8% | 9.6% |
| Life Expectancy | 76.9 | 79.9 | 77.6 |
Environmental questions about Atwater, California
Has PFAS been found in the water in Atwater, California?
EPA testing found PFAS in water samples from the City of Atwater. Results dated Oct 31, 2023 to May 7, 2024 include PFHxS at 0.0032 to 0.059 micrograms per liter and PFOS at 0.0095 to 0.045 micrograms per liter.
Check with the utility that serves your address for its testing results.
What do EPA records say about tap water in Atwater, California?
EPA drinking water records on this page list 2 violations for the City of Atwater.
Check your water bill to identify the utility serving your address. Ask that utility about current drinking water advisories.
What do annual air monitors show near Atwater, California?
Nearby EPA monitoring stations provide annual air quality measurements for Atwater.
The monitoring station at Merced-M St recorded an annual average of 25.8 Micrograms/cubic meter (25 C) for particles (PM10) in 2025.
The monitoring station at Merced-M St recorded an annual average of 7.7 Micrograms/cubic meter (LC) for fine particles (PM2.5) in 2025.
The monitoring station at Merced-Vierra recorded an annual average of 0.043 Parts per million for ozone in 2025.
Download 2025 EPA annual monitor dataCurrent air quality on AirNow
Is there radon in Atwater, California?
The radon data for Atwater covers Merced County. EPA places this area in Zone 3, with a predicted average indoor radon screening level below 2 picocuries per liter.
Are there Superfund or brownfield sites near Atwater, California?
This city report shows 1 Superfund site: Castle Air Force Base (6 Areas).
No brownfield sites were returned for this city report.
What is the life expectancy in Atwater, California?
The county data for Atwater reports a life expectancy of 76.9 years in Merced County, California.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
What does the data say about premature deaths in Atwater, California?
The county data for Atwater reports 8,468 years of life lost to deaths before age 75 per 100,000 residents in Merced County, California. This measure adds up the years lost to early deaths and adjusts for differences in population age.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
Is there air pollution in Atwater, California?
The county data for Atwater lists fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) at 9.6 micrograms per cubic meter in Merced County, California.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
What environmental incidents are recorded near Atwater, California?
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Sfpp, LP near Atwater on Nov 7, 2017. The reported release was a liquid petroleum product.