What's in Bakersfield, CA tap water

40 contaminants were measured in the Bakersfield, CA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.

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Reporting year: 2024
Contaminants measured: 40
Over federal limit: 0
Approaching the limit: 1
Service area: CA
Source: Utility CCR

Approaching the limit (≥ 80%)

TTHM
Disinfection byproducts
64 ug/L
80% of the limit

Disinfection byproducts

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter.	64 ug/LAverageAnnual Average	80 ug/LMCL	Approaching the limit
HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter.	40 ug/LAverageAnnual Average	60 ug/LMCL	Within the limit
PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection.	2 mg/LAverageKcwa	6 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Kcwa, Groundwater, Surface Water KcwaZone avg2 mg/Lrange2 mg/L33% of limit GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected mg/LrangeNot detected mg/L0% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/LrangeNot detected mg/L0% of limit

Metals

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant.	91 ug/LAverageKcwa	200 ug/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Kcwa, Groundwater, Surface Water KcwaZone avg91 ug/Lrange0–140 ug/L70% of limit GroundwaterPlant avg0.74 ug/Lrange0–59 ug/L30% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit
BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil.	0.15 mg/LAverageGroundwater	1 mg/LNL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Surface Water, Kcwa GroundwaterPlant avg0.15 mg/Lrange0.12–0.17 mg/L17% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/Lrange0–0.13 mg/L13% of limit KcwaZone avg0.11 mg/Lrange0.11–0.11 mg/L11% of limit
Vanadium	7.3 ug/LAverageGroundwater	50 ug/LNL	Within the limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg7.3 ug/Lrange0–17 ug/L34% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit
CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing.	0.11 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap	1.3 mg/LAction level	Within the limit
Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium.	0.48 ug/LAverageGroundwater	10 ug/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Kcwa GroundwaterPlant avg0.48 ug/Lrange0–2.6 ug/L26% of limit KcwaZone avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit
ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture.	Not detected ug/LAverageKcwa	10 ug/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Surface Water, Kcwa GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ug/Lrange0–8.6 ug/L86% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit KcwaZone avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit
BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge.	Not detected mg/LAverageKcwa	1 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected mg/Lrange0–0.15 mg/L15% of limit KcwaZone avgNot detected mg/LrangeNot detected mg/L0% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/LrangeNot detected mg/L0% of limit
LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures.	Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap	15 ug/LAction level	None detected
CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.	34 mg/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg34 mg/Lrange14–140 mg/L KcwaPlant avg15.6 mg/Lrange10.4–22.1 mg/L Surface WaterPlant avg14 mg/Lrange9.6–17 mg/L
LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater.	12 ug/LAverageSurface Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Surface Water, Groundwater Surface WaterPlant avg12 ug/Lrange10–15 ug/L GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ug/Lrange0–12 ug/L
MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.	5.54 mg/LAverageKcwa	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Kcwa, Groundwater, Surface Water KcwaPlant avg5.54 mg/Lrange1.8–14.9 mg/L GroundwaterPlant avg4.7 mg/Lrange1–10 mg/L Surface WaterPlant avg2.6 mg/Lrange1.7–3.2 mg/L
PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.	2.59 mg/LAverageKcwa	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg1.8 mg/Lrange0–5.5 mg/L KcwaPlant avg2.59 mg/Lrange1.61–4.43 mg/L Surface WaterPlant avg1.8 mg/Lrange1.3–2.2 mg/L
SodiumA naturally occurring salt component.	32.4 mg/LAverageKcwa	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg25 mg/Lrange17–97 mg/L KcwaPlant avg32.4 mg/Lrange13.4–80.4 mg/L Surface WaterPlant avg15 mg/Lrange9.2–18 mg/L

Disinfectants

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses.	1.2 mg/LAverageSystem-wide	4 mg/LMRDL	Within the limit

PFAS ("forever chemicals")

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.8 ng/LAverageGroundwater	3 ng/LNL	Within the limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.8 ng/Lrange0–12 ng/L400% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L0% of limit
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.18 ng/LAverageGroundwater	500 ng/LNL	Within the limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.18 ng/Lrange0–5.9 ng/L1% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L0% of limit
PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products.	Not detected ng/LAverageSurface Water	5.1 ng/LNL	Within the limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ng/Lrange0–10 ng/L196% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L0% of limit
PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings.	Not detected ng/LAverageGroundwater	6.5 ng/LNL	Within the limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ng/Lrange0–14 ng/L215% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L0% of limit
Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.07 ng/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.07 ng/Lrange0–4.6 ng/L Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L
Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.32 ng/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.32 ng/Lrange0–11 ng/L Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L
Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.01 ng/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.01 ng/Lrange0–2.5 ng/L Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L
Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.57 ng/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.57 ng/Lrange0–5.8 ng/L Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L
PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'	0.15 ng/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg0.15 ng/Lrange0–2.5 ng/L Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L

Inorganic chemicals

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits.	1.5 mg/LAverageGroundwater	10 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg1.5 mg/Lrange0–6.7 mg/L67% of limit KcwaZone avg0.18 mg/Lrange0–0.63 mg/L6% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/LrangeNot detected mg/L0% of limit
FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.	0.2 mg/LAverageSurface Water	2 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected mg/Lrange0–0.22 mg/L11% of limit KcwaZone avg0.13 mg/Lrange0–0.2 mg/L10% of limit Surface WaterPlant avg0.2 mg/Lrange0.2 mg/L10% of limit

Radionuclides

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances.	1.33 pCi/LAverageKcwa	15 pCi/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/Lrange0–7.5 pCi/L50% of limit KcwaPlant avg1.33 pCi/Lrange1.33–1.33 pCi/L9% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/LrangeNot detected pCi/L0% of limit
UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits.	1.3 pCi/LAverageGroundwater	20 pCi/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg1.3 pCi/Lrange0–6.4 pCi/L32% of limit KcwaPlant avgNot detected pCi/LrangeNot detected pCi/L0% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/LrangeNot detected pCi/L0% of limit
Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements.	Not detected pCi/LAverageGroundwater	0.019 pCi/LPublic health goal	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Surface Water, Kcwa GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/Lrange0–1.6 pCi/L8421% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/LrangeNot detected pCi/L0% of limit KcwaPlant avgNot detected pCi/LrangeNot detected pCi/L0% of limit

Microbial

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals.	0MaximumDistribution System-Wide Highest Monthly	0MCL	None detected

VOCs & pesticides

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
1,2,3-TCP	Not detected ng/LAverageGroundwater	5 ng/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ng/Lrange0–10 ng/L200% of limit KcwaPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L0% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ng/LrangeNot detected ng/L0% of limit
TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing.	Not detected ug/LAverageSurface Water	5 ug/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ug/Lrange0–1.2 ug/L24% of limit KcwaPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit
TrichloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing.	Not detected ug/LAverageGroundwater	5 ug/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected ug/Lrange0–1.5 ug/L30% of limit KcwaPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/LrangeNot detected ug/L0% of limit

Physical & aggregate

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids.	96 mg/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Surface Water, Kcwa GroundwaterPlant avg96 mg/Lrange51–140 mg/L Surface WaterPlant avg60 mg/Lrange40–73 mg/L KcwaPlant avg53 mg/Lrange40–66 mg/L
HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals.	109 mg/LAverageGroundwater	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Kcwa, Surface Water GroundwaterPlant avg109 mg/Lrange52–380 mg/L KcwaPlant avg61.9 mg/Lrange35.5–117 mg/L Surface WaterPlant avg46 mg/Lrange31–55 mg/L
pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is.	7.8AverageSurface Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Groundwater, Surface Water, Kcwa GroundwaterPlant avg7.6range4.9–9.8 Surface WaterPlant avg7.8range7.4–8 KcwaPlant avg7.3range7.18–7.4
TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water.	2.2 mg/LMaximumKcwa	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Kcwa, Surface Water KcwaPlant Surface WaterPlant
TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water.	0.111 NTUMaximumSurface Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Surface Water, Kcwa Surface WaterPlant KcwaPlant

Source: Bakersfield, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.