San Luis Obispo, CA

Moderate Risk (49/100)

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 San Luis Obispo in California · Population: 281,486

TRI sites such as U.S. Army National Guard Camp Roberts Ranges; Joslyn Sunbank Co LLC; Phillips 66 Co-Santa Maria Refinery; SDWIS systems such as SAN LUIS OBISPO WATER DEPARTMENT; CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION; ATASCADERO MUTUAL WATER CO; NPL sites such as Klau/Buena Vista Mine anchor San Luis Obispo, CA's EPA extract. Derived burden score 49/100 (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 San Luis Obispo include CALIFORNIA MENS COLONY; PISMO BEACH WATER DEPARTMENT; CAMBRIA COMM SERVICES DIST, while U.S. Army National Guard Camp Roberts Ranges leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. AQS median AQI 49 / peak 122 in 2024.

Burden score 49/100 (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 San Luis Obispo -- 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.

Release-over-release change

What changed for San Luis Obispo, CA: EPA TRI 2023 reporting year

2022 → 2023

Same facilities, both years

-60.0%

10 facilities that filed in 2022 and 2023

Whole inventory

-60.0%

55.5 thousand lb → 22.2 thousand lb, every facility that filed

Between the two reporting years, 1 facility filed for the first time and 3 stopped filing. Facilities entering or leaving the inventory are excluded from the same-facility comparison above.

  • San Luis Obispo, CA's total reported releases fell from 55.5 thousand lb in 2022 to 22.2 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • San Luis Obispo, CA's air releases fell from 10.5 thousand lb in 2022 to 2.1 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • San Luis Obispo, CA's land releases fell from 24.4 thousand lb in 2022 to 7.4 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • San Luis Obispo, CA's water releases fell from 126 lb in 2022 to 71 lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
County population (Census ACS)
281,486
TRI Facilities
15
Water Systems
61
Superfund Sites
1
Total Releases
285.8K 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 193 (53%) 163 10 122
2023 207 (57%) 152 6 122
2022 117 (32%) 245 3 115
2021 154 (42%) 203 8 133
2020 161 (44%) 174 21 334
2024 Good Air Quality: 53% of days
Unhealthy days: 10
Median AQI: 49

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 (61)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
SAN LUIS OBISPO WATER DEPARTMENT 47,788 0
CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION 31,176 0
ATASCADERO MUTUAL WATER CO 30,618 0
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE UTILITIES DIVISION 17,963 0
CALIFORNIA MENS COLONY 15,000 1
NIPOMO COMM SERVICES DIST 13,771 0
MORRO BAY PW DEPT - WATER DIVISION 13,757 0
CITY OF GROVER BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPT 12,701 0
PISMO BEACH WATER DEPARTMENT 8,036 10
TEMPLETON CSD 8,011 0
OCEANO COMM SERVICES DIST. 7,601 0
LOS OSOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT 7,086 0
CAMBRIA COMM SERVICES DIST 5,532 7
HERITAGE RANCH CSD 2,956 57
CAYUCOS BEACH MUTUAL WATER COMPANY 2,567 0
MORRO ROCK MUTUAL WATER CO 2,181 0
AVILA BEACH COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT 1,630 0
SAN MIGUELITO MWC 1,600 5
LOPEZ PROJECT 1,569 2
SLO CWWD NO. 23 - SANTA MARGARITA 1,291 0
SLOCSA #10A - CAYUCOS 1,200 0
SLO CSA NO. 16 - SHANDON 1,085 0
LAUREATE WATER COMPANY 700 0
PRESERVE AT MILLERTON LAKE WATER SYSTEM 600 0
MESA DUNES MOBILE HOME ESTATES 600 0
S & T MUTUAL WATER COMPANY 591 0
WOODLAND PARK MUTUAL WATER CO 538 29
WALNUT HILLS MUTUAL WATER CO 486 0
SAN SIMEON CSD 462 8
GARDEN FARMS C.W.D. 440 0
LOS ROBLES MOBILE HOME ESTATES 420 0
GREEN RIVER MUTUAL WATER CO. 350 2
SANTA YSABEL RANCH MWC 344 0
RANCHO COLINA MOBILE HOME PARK 252 3
SNAKE RIVER RESORT 150 0
GRAN CIELO MUTUAL WATER COMPANY 139 0
IRISH HILLS MUTUAL WATER CO 135 0
CANYON CREST MUTUAL BENEFIT WC 133 0
CALLENDER GROVE MUTUAL WATER 126 0
SPANISH LAKES MUTUAL WATER CO 125 0
HALCYON WATER SYSTEM 110 1
LAS VENTANAS RANCH 108 0
VARIAN RANCH MUTUAL WATER 105 0
RESTHAVEN MOBILE HOME PARK 99 33
AFUERA DE CHORRO WATER COMPANY 85 0
KEN MAR GARDENS 84 36
BARON CANYON MUTUAL WATER CO. 81 0
LAGUNA NEGRA MUTUAL WATER CO. 80 0
AVILA VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO 75 0
H2O, INC 70 0
MONTE SERENO MUTUAL BENEFIT WATER 65 0
RANCHO SALINAS MBWC 50 0
RANCHO NIPOMO WATER COMPANY 44 0
ALMIRA WATER ASSOCIATION 40 37
TERRA DE ORO WATER COMPANY 38 0
HIGUERA APARTMENTS 30 34
MUSTANG SPRINGS MUTUAL WATER 30 9
ADA'S LODGES 25 0
SLO CSA NO. 10 - CAYUCOS WTP 0 0
CHORRO VALLEY PIPELINE - SLO COUNTY 0 0
NACIMIENTO WATER PROJECT 0 0

TRI Facilities (15)

# Facility Total Releases
1 U.S. Army National Guard Camp Roberts Ranges 115.2K lbs
2 Joslyn Sunbank Co LLC 86.1K lbs
3 Phillips 66 Co-Santa Maria Refinery 39.2K lbs
4 U.S. Army National Guard Camp San Luis Obispo Ranges 31.9K lbs
5 Promega Corp 10.1K lbs
6 Entegris - San Luis Obispo 2.0K lbs
7 Rantec Power Systems Inc 1.2K lbs
8 Coast Southwest Surfactants LLC 43 lbs
9 Hanson Aggregates Mid-Pacific Inc 0 lbs
10 Martin Marietta Ca Ready Mix - San Luis Obipso 0 lbs
11 Martin Marietta California Ready-Mix LLC - Nipomo Ready Mix 0 lbs
12 Calportland Co San Luis Obispo 0 lbs
13 Zurn Water LLC 0 lbs
14 Calportland Co Paso Robles Plant 0 lbs
15 Firestone Walker LLC 0 lbs

Superfund Sites (1)

Site Name Status HRS Score
Klau/Buena Vista Mine NPL Site 50.00

Cities in San Luis Obispo (15)

San Luis Obispo
5 facilities · 20 water
Paso Robles
5 facilities · 11 water
Arroyo Grande
1 facilities · 13 water
Los Osos
1 facilities · 3 water
Templeton
1 facilities · 2 water
Nipomo
1 facilities · 1 water
Camp Roberts
1 facilities · 0 water
Atascadero
0 facilities · 3 water
Pismo Beach
0 facilities · 3 water
Avila Beach
0 facilities · 2 water
Cayucos
0 facilities · 2 water
Cambria
0 facilities · 1 water
Halcyon
0 facilities · 1 water
Oceano
0 facilities · 1 water
San Simeon
0 facilities · 1 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in San Luis Obispo, California?
San Luis Obispo, CA has an environmental risk score of 49/100 (Moderate Risk), based on 15 TRI facilities, 1 Superfund sites, and 61 water systems on record. 16 water systems have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in San Luis Obispo?
Yes, San Luis Obispo, CA has 1 Superfund site 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 San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo, CA has 15 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 285.8K lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in San Luis Obispo?
In 2024, San Luis Obispo, CA recorded a median AQI of 49 and a peak AQI of 122. 53% 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 San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo, CA has 61 EPA-regulated water systems. 16 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 San Luis Obispo?
Environmental compliance in San Luis Obispo, 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