Butte, CA

Moderate Risk (31/100)

Transparent derived index from EPA TRI / SDWIS / Superfund extracts: not an official EPA rating. Fixed caps: facilities ≤25 pts (50+ = max), log10 releases ≤25 pts, Superfund ≤25 pts (5/site), health-violation systems ≤15 pts (3/system), high-chemical facilities ≤10 pts. Bands: High ≥60, Moderate ≥30. See methodology.

Environmental data for Butte in California · Population: 209,470

TRI sites such as Federal Cartridge Company-Oroville Operations; A&a Concrete Supply Inc Chico Plant; SDWIS systems such as SOUTH FEATHER W&P - MINERS RANCH; THERMALITO WATER & SEWER DIST; PARADISE IRRIGATION DISTRICT; NPL sites such as Koppers Co., Inc. (Oroville Plant); Louisiana-Pacific Corp.; Western Pacific Railroad Co. anchor Butte, CA's EPA extract. Derived burden score 31/100 (Moderate Risk) uses fixed national caps on density, log release volume, Superfund count, and health-flagged systems - not an official EPA rating.

Health-flagged SDWIS rows in Butte include THERMALITO WATER & SEWER DIST; CITY OF GRIDLEY; CITY OF BIGGS, while Federal Cartridge Company-Oroville Operations leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. AQS median AQI 46 / peak 213 in 2024.

Burden score 31/100 (Moderate Risk) is the only weighted composite on this page. The tables below list every TRI facility, SDWIS system, and Superfund site EPA has on record for Butte -- not just the names called out above -- reproducing the disclosure history as filed, not a current-safety verdict. Extract current as of 2026-08-25.

County population (Census ACS)
209,470
TRI Facilities
2
Water Systems
27
Superfund Sites
3
Total Releases
0 lbs

Air Quality History (2020–2024)

EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) data showing how many days per year fall into each air quality category.

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy (SG) Max AQI
2024 231 (63%) 133 0 213
2023 191 (52%) 174 0 100
2022 191 (52%) 171 3 119
2021 160 (44%) 174 18 257
2020 149 (41%) 178 18 508
2024 Good Air Quality: 63% of days
Unhealthy days: 2
Median AQI: 46

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County AQI categories: Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301+)

For real-time air quality readings and pollutant breakdowns in California, see the EPA's AirNow.gov.

Water Systems (27)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
SOUTH FEATHER W&P - MINERS RANCH 22,664 0
THERMALITO WATER & SEWER DIST 12,136 2
PARADISE IRRIGATION DISTRICT 9,142 0
CITY OF GRIDLEY 7,269 1
CITY OF BIGGS 2,060 1
DURHAM IRRIGATION DISTRICT 1,581 0
GRIDLEY FARM LABOR HOUSING 460 0
SIERRA MOON MUTUAL WATER COMPANY 450 1
PLEASANT GROVE MHP 327 1
LAKE MADRONE WATER DISTRICT 297 0
GRAN MUTUAL WATER CO 290 0
ALMOND GROVE MOBILE PARK 253 1
FOOTHILLS MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNUTY 180 1
KEEFER CREEK ESTATES 160 0
YOUTH WITH A MISSION-SPRINGS OF LIVING W 150 0
FOREST RANCH MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM 119 2
MERRY MOUNTAIN MUTUAL 90 1
WEST COTTONWOOD APARTMENTS 90 1
BLUE OAK TERRACE MUTUAL 81 0
SOUTH FEATHER W&P - BANGOR 73 0
HUMBOLDT HIGHLANDS MUTUAL 58 0
HUMBOLDT WOODLANDS MUTUAL 55 1
FOREST KNOLLS MUTUAL WATER CO 46 2
MOUNTAIN VILLAGE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOC 45 1
HARTLEY MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM 41 1
BERRY CREEK COMMUNITY SERVICE DIST 28 1
FALLING ROCK RV PARK 25 0

TRI Facilities (2)

# Facility Total Releases
1 Federal Cartridge Company-Oroville Operations 0 lbs
2 A&a Concrete Supply Inc Chico Plant 0 lbs

Superfund Sites (3)

Site Name Status HRS Score
Koppers Co., Inc. (Oroville Plant) NPL Site 33.73
Louisiana-Pacific Corp. Deleted NPL Site 33.73
Western Pacific Railroad Co. Deleted NPL Site 39.79

Cities in Butte (11)

Chico
1 facilities · 28 water
Oroville
1 facilities · 7 water
Forest Ranch
0 facilities · 4 water
Berry Creek
0 facilities · 1 water
Biggs
0 facilities · 1 water
Clipper Mills
0 facilities · 1 water
Durham
0 facilities · 1 water
Forsest Ranch
0 facilities · 1 water
Gridley
0 facilities · 1 water
Paradise
0 facilities · 1 water
Richardson Springs
0 facilities · 1 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in Butte, California?
Butte, CA has an environmental risk score of 31/100 (Moderate Risk), based on 2 TRI facilities, 3 Superfund sites, and 27 water systems on record. 15 water systems have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in Butte?
Yes, Butte, CA has 3 Superfund sites on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund sites are contaminated locations that require long-term cleanup under the EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
How many toxic release facilities are in Butte?
Butte, CA has 2 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 0 lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in Butte?
In 2024, Butte, CA recorded a median AQI of 46 and a peak AQI of 213. 63% of monitored days had "Good" air quality (AQI 0–50). Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County.
Is the drinking water safe in Butte?
Butte, CA has 27 EPA-regulated water systems. 15 systems have reported health-based violations (MCL exceedances). A past violation does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe. For current water quality, contact your local water utility. Source: EPA SDWIS.
What environmental agencies cover Butte?
Environmental compliance in Butte, California is overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level and the California state environmental agency. Facilities report to the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, water systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and contaminated sites are managed under the Superfund program. Contact your state environmental agency for local concerns.

What does this county environmental profile show?

This county environmental profile rolls up EPA Toxics Release Inventory facility reports, Safe Drinking Water Information System public-water-system filings, and Superfund National Priorities List sites for the county boundary defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Facility counts reflect facilities with a reporting address inside the county, not where downstream environmental effects may be observed. Population figures are from the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimate. The county detail page is updated whenever the upstream EPA programs publish revised data; see the methodology page for the documented ingest cadence and the editorial choices governing how aggregations are computed.

Related

Data sourced from U.S. EPA environmental datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEnviro