San Diego Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Good news for San Diego residents — your tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards. At 749 ppm (43.8 gpg), the water is quite hard — you may notice mineral buildup on fixtures. Lead levels test well below the EPA action level. No violations have been recorded in the past 3 years.
Safe to Drink
Meets all EPA standards
43.8 GPG hardness
Lead
Below EPA action level
EPA action level: 15 ppb
Hardness
Very Hard water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is San Diego Tap Water Safe to Drink?
San Diego tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards.
8 contaminants were tested in San Diego's water. 6 were detected — all within EPA limits.
Disinfection Byproducts — Trihalomethanes (TTHM) is at 49 ppb — 61% of the EPA limit (80 ppb). Within legal limits, but elevated.
A group of chemicals (chloroform, bromoform, and others) that form when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. According to the EPA, long-term exposure is linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems.
→ An activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet-mount, or whole-house) effectively reduces trihalomethanes.
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — No PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in available test data.
Lead — Lead (0 ppb) is well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
The data below shows test results from 1 water utility serving 1.4M people in the San Diego area.
Based on publicly available data from City of San Diego 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?
With very hard water (749 ppm), a water softener can reduce scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and water heaters.
How San Diego Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
5 ppb
75% above average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
225 ppm
77% harder than average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Not Detected
67% of cities are PFAS-free
How Hard is San Diego Water?
749 ppm
43.8 grains per gallon
Very hard water causes significant mineral buildup. A water softener is recommended.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
Dries out skin & hair
Kitchen
Heavy mineral deposits
Laundry
Stiff, dingy clothes
Appliances
Significant scale
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Do I Need a Water Softener?
At 749 ppm, San Diego has very hard water. A water softener can help prevent scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and pipes. According to the Water Quality Research Foundation, hard water can reduce appliance efficiency and increase energy costs. A whole-house water softener or salt-free conditioner can help.
Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.
Range: 172–248 ppm
Based on 25 samples from City of San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego
Lead Test Results
90th Percentile Lead Level
0 ppb
San Diego lead levels are well below the EPA action level.
Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.
Last sampled: 2023-12-31
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”
No PFAS detected in available test data
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. No PFAS were detected in available test data.
Chloramines
43% of EPA limit
Range: 0–3.8 ppm
Other Detected Contaminants
8 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Chloride | 116 ppm Range: 77.1-199 Average across treatment plants | N/A | Safe |
Sulfate | 146 ppm Range: 80.8-207 Average across treatment plants | N/A | Safe |
Total Dissolved Solids | 525 ppm Range: 367-614 | N/A | Safe |
15 ppb Range: 0-23.7 Maximum LRAA | 60 ppb | Safe 25% of limit | |
49 ppb Range: 8.2-64.1 Maximum LRAA | 80 ppb | Caution 61% of limit | |
Chloramines | 1.73 ppm Range: 0-3.8 | 4 ppm | Safe 43% of limit |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND - UCMR5 - 0/3 samples detected | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND - UCMR5 - 0/3 samples detected | 4 ppt 0 | Safe |
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 San Diego's Water?
Utility Name
SAN DIEGO, CITY OF
EPA System ID (PWSID)
CA3710020
Primary Water Source
Surface Water
Population Served
1.4M
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about San Diego tap water quality
Nearby Cities in California
Los Angeles
Hard water
East Bay
Very Hard water
San Jose
Very Hard water
California
Hard water
Eastern Municipal Wd
Very Hard water
Fresno
Moderate 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: City of San Diego 2024 Water Quality Report (2024) • View report