Metals
Germanium in U.S. tap water
33 public water systems across 4 U.S. states report Germanium in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. None currently sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
A trace metalloid found in some source water.
Why it's regulated
Not federally regulated; monitored occasionally as a trace element.
Within the federal limit (1)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Edison, NJ 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
Germanium by state
Every state where a public water system reports Germanium in its annual report, ranked by systems at or above the federal limit.
| State | Measuring | Over limit | Highest reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 29 | 0 | 0.29 ug/L · Cal Am - Antelope — Sacramento, Ca, CA |
| Arizona | 2 | 0 | 0.36 ug/L · Avondale, AZ |
| New Jersey | 1 | 0 | Not detected ug/L · Edison, NJ |
| Nebraska | 1 | 0 | 2.68 ug/L · Omaha, NE |
Frequently asked
+What is Germanium?
A trace metalloid found in some source water. Not federally regulated; monitored occasionally as a trace element.
+Does Germanium have a federal limit in drinking water?
Germanium does not have an enforceable federal MCL. Utilities still report any measured levels in their annual Consumer Confidence Report.
+How many U.S. water systems have Germanium over the federal limit?
Zero of the 33 public water systems in The Water Map dataset currently report Germanium at or above its federal limit.
+Which states report the most Germanium in their drinking water?
No state currently has a system reporting Germanium at or above its federal limit in The Water Map dataset. California, Arizona, New Jersey have the most systems measuring it.
+How can I check if Germanium 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 Germanium.