When it rains in Pescadero, Irma Rodriguez gets to work — lining up containers on her patio to catch as much water as she can. … The small rural town has one public water system, and it serves less than half of the population. Now, San Mateo County is preparing to raise rates for that system — potentially tripling costs — deepening concerns among residents already struggling to get by and not addressing those who have no clean running water at all. … Of the seven public water systems within 2 miles of Pescadero assessed by the California State Water Resources Control Board in 2024, six were either failing or at risk of failing. Only one — County Service Area No. 11, or CSA-11 — was deemed to have “no risk.” The “no risk” rating doesn’t reflect how many people in the area actually get their water from creeks or private wells that may never be tested, leaving their water safety uncertain.

Other water pollution news:

• SJV Water: Historic Black Tulare County town may, finally, be on the road to water security, growth
• CBS8 (San Diego): California urges national emergency for Tijuana River pollution
• KRCR (Redding, Calif.): Redding officials monitor PFAS levels in drinking water to ensure public safety​
• Denver Post (Colo.): Xcel plans Colorado coal ash cleanup as toxins seep into groundwater
• Grist: Pollution from wildfires can contaminate our water for up to 8 years, study finds