Bakersfield Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Bakersfield tap water has contaminants that exceed current EPA standards. With 174 ppm hardness (10.2 gpg), expect some mineral deposits over time. Lead levels test well below the EPA action level. PFAS "forever chemicals" exceed EPA limits — the EPA recommends certified filtration. No violations have been recorded in the past 3 years.
Action Needed
Quality issues detected
10.2 GPG hardness
Lead
Below EPA action level
EPA action level: 15 ppb
Hardness
Hard water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is Bakersfield Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Bakersfield tap water has contaminants that exceed current EPA maximum contaminant levels.
18 contaminants were tested in Bakersfield's water. 18 were detected, and 2 exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels.
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — PFOS at 6.75 ppt (EPA limit: 4 ppt), PFOA at 6.53 ppt (EPA limit: 4 ppt) — exceed the EPA maximum contaminant level. 4 other PFAS compounds were also detected within limits.
A man-made "forever chemical" formerly used in Scotchgard, firefighting foam, and industrial processes. According to the EPA, associated with increased cholesterol, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, and certain cancers.
→ A reverse osmosis (RO) or NSF-certified activated carbon filter can reduce PFOS by 90% or more.
Metals — Arsenic is at 7.27 ppb — 73% of the EPA limit (10 ppb). Within legal limits, but elevated.
A naturally occurring element found in rock and soil that can dissolve into groundwater. According to the EPA and WHO, long-term exposure is linked to skin, bladder, and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease.
→ Reverse osmosis is the most effective home treatment for arsenic. Some activated alumina filters also work.
Radioactive Contaminants — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Uranium at 4.4 pCi/L (22% of EPA limit).
Inorganic Chemicals — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Nitrate at 1.4 ppm (14% of EPA limit).
The data below shows test results from 1 water utility serving 160K people in the Bakersfield area.
Based on publicly available data from California Water Service Bakersfield District 2024 Water Quality Report (2024). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.
Do I Need a Water Filter?
Bakersfield has PFAS levels exceeding EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA suggests that NSF-certified reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS levels. With hard water (174 ppm), a water softener can reduce scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and water heaters.
How Bakersfield Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
0.14 ppb
95% below average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
92 ppm
28% softer than average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Exceeds EPA limit
20% of cities exceed EPA limit
How Hard is Bakersfield Water?
174 ppm
10.2 grains per gallon
Hard water can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances. A water softener may be beneficial.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
May dry out skin & hair
Kitchen
Spots on dishes
Laundry
Clothes may feel stiff
Appliances
Scale buildup
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Do I Need a Water Softener?
At 174 ppm, Bakersfield has hard water. You may notice white spots on dishes, dry skin after showering, and mineral buildup on fixtures. A water softener can help reduce these effects. Hard water is generally not a health concern according to the WHO.
Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.
Range: 7.5–620 ppm
Based on 83 samples from California Water Service Bakersfield District 2024 Water Quality Report (2024)
Your pipes tell a different story
The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Bakersfield tap water.
Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.
Lead & Contaminants
Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Bakersfield
Lead Test Results
90th Percentile Lead Level
1.3 ppb
Bakersfield lead levels are well below the EPA action level.
Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.
Last sampled: 2025-12-31
About Lead in Drinking Water
What is Lead in Water?
According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Potential Health Effects
According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues
According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues
How to Reduce Exposure
- •Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- •Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
- •Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
- •Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
2 PFAS chemicals exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels
+ 2 more PFAS compounds detected
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. The EPA suggests that certified reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS levels.
1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP)
200% of EPA limit
Range: 0–10 ppt
TTHMs
61% of EPA limit
Range: 0–57 ppb
HAA5
47% of EPA limit
Range: 0–44 ppb
Other Detected Contaminants
18 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
TTHMs | 49 ppb Range: 0-57 Highest annual average 49 ppb; free chlorine disinfection | 80 ppb | Caution 61% of limit |
HAA5 | 28 ppb Range: 0-44 | 60 ppb | Safe 47% of limit |
Free Chlorine | 1.3 ppm Range: 0.5-2.7 | 4 ppm | Safe 33% of limit |
0.2 ppm Range: 0-0.56 Naturally occurring only; Cal Water does not add fluoride. Surface water avg 0.20 ppm; most groundwater ND. | 2 ppm | Safe 10% of limit | |
7.27 ppb Range: 0-7.27 Groundwater max 7.27 ppb (avg ND); MCL 10 ppb. CA PHG 0.004 ppb – far below MCL. | 10 ppb Goal: 0.004 ppb | Caution 73% of limit | |
Hexavalent Chromium | 0.94 ppb Range: 0-2 Groundwater avg 0.94 ppb, max 2.0 ppb. CA MCL 10 ppb; CA PHG 0.02 ppb (much lower than MCL). | 10 ppb Goal: 0.02 ppb | Safe 9% of limit |
4.4 pCi/L Range: 0-7.8 Groundwater avg 1.7 pCi/L (max 7.8); KCWA avg 4.4 pCi/L. Well below MCL 20 pCi/L. | 20 pCi/L | Safe 22% of limit | |
1.4 ppm Range: 0-3.8 Groundwater avg 1.4 ppm (max 3.8) | 10 ppm | Safe 14% of limit | |
1,2,3-Trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) | 10 ppt Range: 0-10 One groundwater sample point exceeded MCL (10 ppt > MCL 5 ppt); treatment optimization implemented. Annual average below MCL. Carcinogen; CA MCL strictest in nation. | 5 ppt | Caution 200% of limit |
Lithium | 15 ppb Range: 14-15 Surface water (Kern River) avg 15 µg/L (range 14–15). Groundwater ND. No federal MCL. | N/A | Safe |
6.53 ppt Range: 0-9.1 UCMR5: avg 6.53 ppt (max 9.1 ppt), 3/96 samples detected. Exceeds EPA MCL 4 ppt. Compliance deadline 2029. Cal Water took affected wells out of service and is installing treatment. | 4 ppt 0 | Exceeds 163% of limit | |
6.75 ppt Range: 0-14 UCMR5: avg 6.75 ppt (max 14.0 ppt), 19/96 samples detected. CCR: groundwater max 8.9 ppt. Exceeds EPA MCL 4 ppt. Affected wells removed from service; treatment being installed. | 4 ppt 0 | Exceeds 169% of limit | |
5.18 ppt Range: 0-7.3 UCMR5: avg 5.18 ppt (max 7.3 ppt), 10/96 samples detected. Below EPA MCL 10 ppt. CA NL 3 ppt – max 7.3 ppt exceeds CA NL but avg 0.16 ppt (CCR) is compliant. | 10 ppt Goal: 10 ppt | Caution 52% of limit | |
PFBS | 4.85 ppt Range: 0-6.6 UCMR5: avg 4.85 ppt (max 6.6 ppt), 2/96 detected. CA NL 500 ppt. No federal MCL. | N/A | Safe |
PFHpA | 3.5 ppt Range: 0-3.5 UCMR5: 1/96 samples detected. No MCL. | N/A | Safe |
PFHxA | 4 ppt Range: 0-4.6 UCMR5: 3/96 samples detected. No MCL. | N/A | Safe |
PFPeA | 4.06 ppt Range: 0-5.5 UCMR5: 9/96 samples detected. No MCL. | N/A | Safe |
0.04 ppt Range: 0-4.8 CCR groundwater: ND–4.8 ppt, avg 0.04 ppt. Well below EPA MCL 10 ppt. | 10 ppt | Safe 0% of limit |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA legal limit)
EPA Compliance History
Excellent Record
No violations in past 3 yearsThis utility has maintained full EPA compliance. No action needed, but regular home testing is still recommended.
3-Year Violation Summary
0
Total Violations
0
Health-Related
0
Administrative
Health-Related Violations
Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.
Administrative Violations
Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.
Who Provides Bakersfield's Water?
Utility Name
BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF
EPA System ID (PWSID)
CA1510031
Primary Water Source
Surface Water
Population Served
160K
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bakersfield tap water quality
Nearby Cities in California
Los Angeles
Hard water
East Bay
Very Hard water
San Diego
Very Hard water
San Jose
Very Hard water
California
Hard water
Eastern Municipal Wd
Very Hard water
This data is for informational purposes only. Water quality can vary by neighborhood and building. For official reports, contact your local water utility or the EPA. Learn about our methodology
Data source: California Water Service Bakersfield District 2024 Water Quality Report (2024) • View report