Metals
Chromium, Hexavalent in U.S. tap water
98 public water systems across 6 U.S. states report Chromium, Hexavalent in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 41 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
Hexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium.
Why it's regulated
A known carcinogen by inhalation; regulated nationally only within the total-chromium limit, with stricter limits in some states.
At or above the federal limit (41)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena, CA 2023 annual report | 3.4 ug/L | 170.0× the limit |
| Fontana, CA 2024 annual report | 0.83 ug/L | 41.5× the limit |
| Santa Rosa, CA 2024 annual report | 0.29–0.47 ug/L | 23.5× the limit |
| Antioch, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Antioch, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Brentwood, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Brentwood, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Martinez, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Martinez, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Pittsburg, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| City of Pittsburg, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| Concord, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| Diablo Water District, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| Diablo Water District, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| Golden State Water Company, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| Golden State Water Company, CA 2024 annual report | 0.11 ug/L | 5.5× the limit |
| Irvine, CA 2023 annual report | 0.1 ug/L | 5.0× the limit |
| Alameda, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Albany, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Berkeley, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Castro Valley, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Crockett, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| El Cerrito, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| El Sobrante, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Emeryville, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Hayward, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Hercules, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Kensington, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Lafayette, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Moraga, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Oakland, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Orinda, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Piedmont, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Pinole, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Richmond, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Rodeo, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| San Leandro, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| San Lorenzo, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| San Pablo, CA 2024 annual report | 0.3 ug/L | 1.5× the limit |
| Vacaville, CA 2024 annual report | 14 ug/L | 1.4× the limit |
| Pomona, CA 2024 annual report | 0–12 ug/L | 1.2× the limit |
Within the federal limit (35)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| El Monte, CA 2024 annual report | 3.5–5.6 ug/L |
| Burbank, CA 2024 annual report | 0–5.5 ug/L |
| Glendale, CA 2024 annual report | 5.1 ug/L |
| Salinas, CA 2024 annual report | 4.8 ug/L |
| Chico, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| Stockton, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| Ontario, CA 2024 annual report | 2.2 ug/L |
| Riverside, CA 2024 annual report | 2.1 |
| Santa Clara, CA 2024 annual report | 1.9 ug/L |
| Santa Ana, CA 2024 annual report | 1.4 ug/L |
| Clovis, CA 2024 annual report | 1.27 ug/L |
| Rialto, CA 2024 annual report | 1.25 ug/L |
| City of Hemet, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| City of Menifee, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| City of Murrieta, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| City of Perris, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| City of San Jacinto, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| City of Temecula, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| East Valley Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| Mills Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| Moreno Valley, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| Skinner Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 1.2 ug/L |
| Visalia, CA 2024 annual report | 0.92 ug/L |
| West Covina, CA 2024 annual report | 0.5 ug/L |
| Bakersfield, CA 2024 annual report | 0.48 ug/L |
| Fullerton, CA 2024 annual report | 0.44 ug/L |
| Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA 2024 annual report | 0–0.4 ug/L |
| Costa Mesa, CA 2024 annual report | 0.34 ug/L |
| Inglewood, CA 2023 annual report | 0.31 ug/L |
| Huntington Beach, CA 2025 annual report | 0.16 ug/L |
| San Mateo, CA 2024 annual report | 0.1 ug/L |
| Sunnyvale, CA 2024 annual report | 0.01 ug/L |
| Grand Rapids, MI 2025 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| San Diego, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| West Jordan, UT 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
Frequently asked
+What is Chromium, Hexavalent?
Hexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. A known carcinogen by inhalation; regulated nationally only within the total-chromium limit, with stricter limits in some states.
+What is the federal limit for Chromium, Hexavalent in drinking water?
The federal Public health goal for Chromium, Hexavalent is 0.2 ug/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Chromium, Hexavalent over the federal limit?
41 of the 98 public water systems on The Water Map report Chromium, Hexavalent at or above its federal limit, spanning 6 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Chromium, Hexavalent is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Chromium, Hexavalent.