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Community Water System · PWS PR0005046

Aguas Buenas Urbano

Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico 00703 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 13,016 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

13,016
People served
533
EPA violations
307
Health-based
2 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 533 drinking-water violations at Aguas Buenas Urbano, 58% of them health-based - above the Puerto Rico per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.

533
Total EPA violations on record
58%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
13,016
People served by this system
2
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Aguas Buenas Urbano

Aguas Buenas Urbano is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 13,016 residents in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico (Aguas Buenas Municipio County) through 4,875 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 533 total violations for this system , of which 307 (58%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 197 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Surface Water Treatment Rule, recorded in 158 violations (TT, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 4.2 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Puerto Rico, EPA tracks 458 public water systems serving 3,328,141 people, with 164,144 cumulative violations and 34,657 health-based violations on record. About 100% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 358.4 violations. Statewide, 40 of 99 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (40.4%).

Aguas Buenas Urbano's 533 violations sit above the Puerto Rico average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

2 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
13,016
Total Violations
533
Health-Based Violations
307
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
4,875
County
Aguas Buenas Municipio
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
25
Monitoring Violations
197
Treatment Tech Violations
282

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 158 2001
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 63 2009
CARBON, TOTAL TT 49 2023
Cryptosporidium MR 45 2018
E. COLI MR 41 2018
Turbidity MR 39 2018
Coliform (TCR) MCL 13 2005
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 12 2024
TTHM MCL 10 2020
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 5 2014
TTHM MR 5 2014
Coliform (TCR) MR 4 2014
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 4 2020
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 4 2006
Lead and Copper Rule MR 4 2016
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 4 2021
Nitrate MR 3 1997
Nitrate MCL 2 2003
Fluoride MR 2 1984
Selenium MR 2 1984
Mercury MR 2 1984
Cadmium MR 2 1984
Arsenic MR 2 1984
Chromium MR 2 1984
Barium MR 2 1984
Antimony, Total MR 1 1998
Beryllium, Total MR 1 1998
CARBON, TOTAL MR 1 2006
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MR 1 2007
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 1 1997

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 2 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFHxS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/15/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/15/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/15/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/15/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/15/2025 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/15/2025 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/15/2025 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/15/2025 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/15/2025 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/15/2025 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/15/2025 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/15/2025 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Aguas Buenas Urbano.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID PR0005046 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Puerto Rico Drinking Water Authority

Puerto Rico's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find PR regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2024 Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 12 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 0800
2023 CARBON, TOTAL TT 49 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 2920
2021 Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule MR 4 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 0800
2020 TTHM MCL 10 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 2950
2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 4 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 7000
2018 Cryptosporidium MR 45 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 3015
2018 E. COLI MR 41 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 3014
2018 Turbidity MR 39 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 0100
2018 Public Notice Other 1 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 7500
2016 Lead and Copper Rule MR 4 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 5000
2014 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 5 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 2456
2014 TTHM MR 5 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 2950
2014 Coliform (TCR) MR 4 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 3100
2009 Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 63 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 0300
2007 Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MR 1 SDWIS / PR0005046 / 2039

How Aguas Buenas Urbano Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Aguas Buenas Urbano Puerto Rico avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 533 358.4 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 307 75.7 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 2 compounds 40.4% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 13,016 7,267 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 458 regulated public water systems in Puerto Rico.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aguas Buenas Urbano water safe to drink? ▼
Aguas Buenas Urbano (PWS ID: PR0005046) has 533 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 13,016 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Aguas Buenas Urbano serve? ▼
Aguas Buenas Urbano serves 13,016 people in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 4,875 service connections.
What type of violations does Aguas Buenas Urbano have? ▼
Aguas Buenas Urbano has 533 total violations: 307 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 197 monitoring/reporting violations, and 282 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Aguas Buenas Urbano water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in Aguas Buenas Urbano's water supply: PFOS, PFOA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Aguas Buenas Urbano use? ▼
Aguas Buenas Urbano uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.