Metals
Zinc in U.S. tap water
73 public water systems across 21 U.S. states report Zinc in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. None currently sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
A naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes.
Why it's regulated
Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels cause a metallic taste.
Within the federal limit (19)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Kent, WA 2024 annual report | 0.0018 mg/L |
| Ann Arbor, MI 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| City of Lincoln — Lincoln, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | 0 mg/L |
| Cleveland, OH 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Covina Irrigating Co. — West Covina, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Covina Irrigating Co. — West Covina, Ca, CA 2020 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Covina Irrigating Co. — West Covina, Ca, CA 2021 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Foothill Municipal Water Dist. — La Canada Flintridge, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Lukins Brothers Water Company — South Lake Tahoe, Ca, CA 2022 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Mojave Pud — Mojave, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Nashville, TN 2023 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| North Tahoe Pud - Main — Tahoe Vista, Ca, CA 2021 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Pomona, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Richardson, TX 2024 annual report | 0–0 mg/L |
| Rubio Canon Land & Water Association — Altadena, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Rubio Canon Land & Water Association — Altadena, Ca, CA 2020 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| Running Springs Water District — Running Springs, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Tahoe City Pud - Main — Tahoe City, Ca, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected mg/L |
| West Jordan, UT 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
Frequently asked
+What is Zinc?
A naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. Regulated only as a secondary (cosmetic) standard; high levels cause a metallic taste.
+What is the federal limit for Zinc in drinking water?
The federal NL for Zinc is 10 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 Zinc over the federal limit?
Zero of the 73 public water systems in The Water Map dataset currently report Zinc at or above its federal limit.
+How can I check if Zinc 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 Zinc.