What was found in South Lake Tahoe's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 911000 µg/L 9110% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10000 µg/L | 3/5 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 901.966 µg/L 9% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 613 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 160 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 68 µg/L 6.8% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 50 µg/L 2.5% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 46 µg/L 920% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 5 µg/L | 3/5 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 26.7902 µg/L 89% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 26.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Arsenic | 14 µg/L 140% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10 µg/L | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 5.7 µg/L 9.5% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 3 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 2.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 2.12 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 2 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 1.1 µg/L 1.6% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 0.7400 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.7200 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.7000 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.6730 mg/L 4487% above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L | 5/5 | LCR |
| Pfpea | 0.0224 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0163 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhpa | 0.0065 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0061 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| PFHXS | 0.0058 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0053 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOS | 0.0052 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0037 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving South Lake Tahoe
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| SOUTH TAHOE PUD - MAIN | 100,000 |
| LUKINS BROTHERS WATER COMPANY | 3,277 |
| LAKESIDE PARK ASSOCIATION | 2,648 |
| TAHOE KEYS WATER COMPANY | 1,420 |
| SIERRA PINES MOBILE HOME PARK | 70 |
Frequently asked questions about South Lake Tahoe tap water
Is South Lake Tahoe tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 31 contaminants in the water serving South Lake Tahoe. 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 South Lake Tahoe?
5 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for South Lake Tahoe, California to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in South Lake Tahoe's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in South Lake Tahoe include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Copper, Nitrite. The full list, with the highest level found 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.