What was found in Sacramento's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 825000 µg/L 8250% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 1000000 µg/L — CAL AM - LINCOLN OAKS · 48,094 people · 2018 | 13/25 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 3900 µg/L 39% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 7406.02 µg/L — CAL AM - SUBURBAN ROSEMONT · 54,793 people · 2019 | 17/25 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 737 µg/L 18% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 1284.5 µg/L — SCWA - ARDEN PARK VISTA · 10,101 people · 2019 | 20/25 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 212.885 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 393 µg/L — RIO COSUMNES CORRECTIONAL CENTER [SWS] · 2,800 people · 2019 | 17/25 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 75 µg/L 5.8% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 271.6 µg/L — CAL AM - SUBURBAN ROSEMONT · 54,793 people · 2019 | 6/25 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 25.4 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 86.6 µg/L — CAL AM - LINCOLN OAKS · 48,094 people · 2024 | 4/25 | UCMR-5 |
| TTHM | 40 µg/L 50% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 71.6 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2015 | 6/25 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 7.4 µg/L 74% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 71 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2019 | 23/25 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 40.6 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 64 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2015 | 5/25 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 27.85 µg/L 46% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 45.82 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2018 | 3/25 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 11 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 28.5 µg/L — CAL AM - LINCOLN OAKS · 48,094 people · 2018 | 9/25 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 17.9 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 23.85 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2018 | 3/25 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 7.6586 µg/L 26% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 20.86 µg/L — CAL AM - PARKWAY · 50,573 people · 2019 | 8/25 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 11.755 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 16.27 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2018 | 3/25 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 14.5 µg/L 97% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - ANTELOPE · 35,534 people · 2019 | 6/25 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 1.1375 µg/L 23% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 12.4 µg/L — SSWD - DEL PASO MANOR SERVICE AREA · 4,854 people · 2019 | 7/25 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 8.74 µg/L 17% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019 | 2/25 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroethylene | 7.898 µg/L 158% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 5 µg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019 | 6/25 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 3.5 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 7.4 µg/L — RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2015 | 6/25 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 3.22 pCi/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 6.67 pCi/L — SSWD - DEL PASO MANOR SERVICE AREA · 4,854 people · 2019 | 4/25 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 6.2 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: RANCHO MARINA · 250 people · 2018 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 3.9 µg/L 65% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - ANTELOPE · 35,534 people · 2019 | 2/25 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 2.875 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: SACRAMENTO SUBURBAN WATER DISTRICT · 194,444 people · 2019 | 4/25 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 2.1 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: RIO COSUMNES CORRECTIONAL CENTER [SWS] · 2,800 people · 2018 | 3/25 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 1.5 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - PARKWAY · 50,573 people · 2019 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 0.8300 µg/L 17% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - PARKWAY · 50,573 people · 2019 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 0.7325 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - SUBURBAN ROSEMONT · 54,793 people · 2019 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Styrene | 0.7000 µg/L 0.7% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - WALNUT GROVE · 667 people · 2018 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 0.6255 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - FRUITRIDGE VISTA · 15,652 people · 2019 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Diquat | 0.5000 µg/L 2.5% of the EPA limit 20 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - ARDEN · 4,191 people · 2018 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Asbestos | 0.2000 MFL 2.9% of the EPA limit 7 MFL Highest in the city: FLORIN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT · 7,831 people · 2019 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| PFOS | 0.0414 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024 | 8/25 | UCMR-5 |
| 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE | 0.0300 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - SUBURBAN ROSEMONT · 54,793 people · 2019 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Ethylene Dibromide | 0.0300 µg/L 60% of the EPA limit 0.0500 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - LINCOLN OAKS · 48,094 people · 2018 | 1/25 | SYR4 |
| Mercury | 0.0200 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L Highest in the city: CAL AM - ISLETON · 1,693 people · 2018 | 2/25 | SYR4 |
| PFHXS | 0.0191 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024 | 7/25 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0173 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024 | 6/25 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2023
Highest in the city: 0.0110 mg/L — EAST WALNUT GROVE [SWS] · 300 people · 2025 | 25/25 | LCR |
| Pfhpa | 0.0044 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0099 µg/L — FLORIN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT · 7,831 people · 2025 | 6/25 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0065 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0096 µg/L — SCWA - LAGUNA/VINEYARD · 184,896 people · 2024 | 8/25 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0063 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0092 µg/L — FLORIN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT · 7,831 people · 2025 | 7/25 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0074 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0090 µg/L — CAL AM - SUBURBAN ROSEMONT · 54,793 people · 2024 | 2/25 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0062 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN · 527,979 people · 2024 | 4/25 | UCMR-5 |
Each bar shows the measured level as a share of the EPA limit: green is
well under, amber is close to it, red is over. For lead and copper the
limit applies to exactly the 90th-percentile figure shown, so red there
means a real exceedance. For everything else the limit applies to a
running annual average while the figure is the 95th percentile of the
system's samples — over 100% is worth reading, but is not by itself a
violation.
Formal violations are listed separately.
These are the utilities' own EPA-reported results, not a city-wide
average. A detection means the lab measured the
substance — it isn't the same as exceeding a legal limit. Hover a source
tag to see the EPA program and years behind each figure.
Water suppliers serving Sacramento
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN | 527,979 |
| SACRAMENTO SUBURBAN WATER DISTRICT | 194,444 |
| SCWA - LAGUNA/VINEYARD | 184,896 |
| CAL AM - SUBURBAN ROSEMONT | 54,793 |
| CAL AM - PARKWAY | 50,573 |
| CAL AM - LINCOLN OAKS | 48,094 |
| CAL AM - ANTELOPE | 35,534 |
| SCWA MATHER-SUNRISE | 30,825 |
| CAL AM - FRUITRIDGE VISTA | 15,652 |
| SCWA - ARDEN PARK VISTA | 10,101 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR | 9,280 |
| FLORIN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | 7,831 |
| SSWD - DEL PASO MANOR SERVICE AREA | 4,854 |
| CAL AM - ARDEN | 4,191 |
| RIO COSUMNES CORRECTIONAL CENTER [SWS] | 2,800 |
| CAL AM - ISLETON | 1,693 |
| CAL AM - WALNUT GROVE | 667 |
| TOKAY PARK WATER CO | 653 |
| SAC CITY MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY LP | 350 |
| EAST WALNUT GROVE [SWS] | 300 |
| HOOD WATER MAINTENCE DIST [SWS] | 271 |
| RANCHO MARINA | 250 |
| SOUTHWEST TRACT W M D [SWS] | 103 |
| FREEPORT MARINA | 45 |
| PLANTATION MOBILE HOME PARK | 22 |
Frequently asked questions about Sacramento tap water
Is Sacramento tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 43 contaminants in the water serving Sacramento. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Sacramento?
25 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Sacramento, California to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Sacramento's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Sacramento include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Barium, Copper. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.