Drinking water quality · 2025

· Verified

What's in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA tap water

135 contaminants were measured in the Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA water system's 2025 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit 1 sit at or above that limit.

Reporting year
2025
Contaminants measured
135
Over federal limit
1
Approaching the limit
0
Worst contaminant
Pce
1.1× the limit
Service area
CA
state-level CCR
Source
Utility CCR

PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)

3 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA

About this data

The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.

PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)

● Over EPA limit (5.6×)
Measured 22.5 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 11 detect / 47

above national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)

● Over EPA limit (2.2×)
Measured 22.1 ng/LEPA limit 10 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 14 detect / 47

above national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)

● Over EPA limit (1.7×)
Measured 6.8 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 2 detect / 47

below national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFBS

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 9.6 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 4 detect / 47

near national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

Lithium

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 11.7 mg/LSample year 2024Samples 1 detect / 47

below national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFHxA

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 6 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 2 detect / 47

below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFPeA

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 5.3 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 2 detect / 47

below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PWSID CA0410002 · Source: EPA UCMR5. Limits per EPA's April 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. PFAS values reported in nanograms per liter (ng/L) — note that 1 ng/L = 1 part per trillion.

Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS

Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 54 sources.

Source

54ground water
  • WELL 20-01
  • WELL 75-01
  • WELL 21-01
  • WELL 24-01 - STANDBY
  • + 50 more

Treatment

65treatment plants
  • WELL 50-01 - CHLORINATED XCLD
  • WELL 62-01 - CHLORINATED XCLD
  • WELL 37-01 - CHLORINATED XCLD
  • + 62 more

Distribution

0storage units

Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)

2 contaminants historically over EPA limits in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA

About this data

Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.

ContaminantWorst detectionEPA limitYears (2012–2019)
PCE
worst: 2016
0.22 mg/L
44.0×
0.005 mg/L
'12'13'16'17'18'19
NITRATE
worst: 2012
13.5 mg/L
1.4×
10 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
NITRATE NITRITE
worst: 2018
6.9 mg/L
within
10 mg/L
'16'17'18'19
ARSENIC
worst: 2012
0.0025 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.01 mg/L
'12'13'14'15
TCE
worst: 2012
0.00118 mg/L
within
0.005 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16
NITRITE
worst: 2013
0.195 mg/L
within
1 mg/L
'13
DICHLOROMETHANE
worst: 2017
0.00085 mg/L
within
0.005 mg/L
'17
TTHM
worst: 2013
0.0118 mg/L
within
0.08 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
worst: 2017
0.00072 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.005 mg/L
'17
CIS DICHLOROETHYLENE 12
worst: 2015
0.0091 mg/L
within
near national p90
0.07 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
CHROMIUM
worst: 2013
0.012 mg/L
within
above national p90
0.1 mg/L
'12'13'14
DICHLOROETHYLENE 11
worst: 2012
0.00058 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.007 mg/L
'12
FLUORIDE
worst: 2017
0.11 mg/L
within
4 mg/L
'12'17
BARIUM
worst: 2015
0.0424 mg/L
within
below national p90
2 mg/L
'14'15'19
STYRENE
worst: 2014
0.0019 mg/L
within
0.1 mg/L
'14'15
SELENIUM
worst: 2015
0.000217 mg/L
within
0.05 mg/L
'14'15
ANTIMONY
worst: 2015
0.000021 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.006 mg/L
'14'15
CADMIUM
worst: 2015
0.000012 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.005 mg/L
'15
TOLUENE
worst: 2015
0.0022 mg/L
within
1 mg/L
'15'18
ETHYLBENZENE
worst: 2015
0.0012 mg/L
within
0.7 mg/L
'15
XYLENES TOTAL
worst: 2015
0.0094 mg/L
within
10 mg/L
'13'15
BERYLLIUM
worst: 2015
0.000002 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.004 mg/L
'15
URANIUM
worst: 2015
0.00108 ug/L
within
below national p90
30 ug/L
'14'15
COPPER
worst: 2014
0.000394 mg/L
below national p90
'14'15
LEAD
worst: 2014
0.000051 mg/L
'14'15
DCAA
worst: 2016
0.0012 mg/L
'16
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE
worst: 2013
0.00308 mg/L
'13'15'16'17'18'19
BROMOFORM
worst: 2013
0.00127 mg/L
'13
CHLOROFORM
worst: 2012
0.00194 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE
worst: 2013
0.00275 mg/L
'13'15'16'17'18'19
PWSID CA0410002 · Source: EPA Six-Year Review 4 (2012–2019). Values are the highest detection in each calendar year; non-detect years are omitted. Year tags above show every year with a detection.

Metals

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium.3.103125 UG/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater.21.791666666666668 UG/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge.1.55 UG/LAverageEntry pointWithin the limit
ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes.3 UG/LAverageEntry pointWithin the limit
AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ThalliumNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil.75.28571428571429 UG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.12.376744186046512 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.13.737499999999999 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.1.391304347826087 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
SilicaA naturally occurring compound from sand and rock.63 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
SodiumA naturally occurring salt component.12.770833333333334 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Strontium160 UG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Vanadium17.475 UG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

Physical & aggregate

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts.215.26315789473685 MG/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content.291.9230769230769 UMHO/CMAverageSource waterWithin the limit
TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water.0.15 NTUAverageSource waterWithin the limit
ColorA measure of visible tint in the water.Not detected UNITSHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water.Not detected TONHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids.85.7280701754386 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals.114.16666666666667 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is.7.5473684210526315 PHAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

Radionuclides

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances.0.545 PCI/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements.0.1556392857142857 PCI/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

Inorganic chemicals

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound.10.185714285714287 MG/LAverageEntry pointWithin the limit
SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.8.036363636363637 MG/LAverageEntry pointWithin the limit
AmmoniaNot detected MG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
AsbestosNot detected MFLHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
CyanideNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected

Disinfection byproducts

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChloriteNot detected MG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected

Other

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
CarbofuranNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChlordaneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
DbaaNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
DehaNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
DehpNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Dichloroethane 12Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Dichloropropane 12Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
DinosebNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
DiquatNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
EdbNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
EndothallNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
EndrinNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
GlyphosateNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
HeptachlorNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Heptachlor EpoxideNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
HexachlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
HexachlorocyclopentadieneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
MbaaNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
McaaNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
MethoxychlorNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
O DichlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
OxamylNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
P DichlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Pcb TotalNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
PentachlorophenolNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
PicloramNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
TcaaNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
ToxapheneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Trans Dichloroethylene 12Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Trichlorobenzene 124Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Trichloroethane 111Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Trichloroethane 112Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
TwofourdNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Vinyl ChlorideNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected

PFAS ("forever chemicals")

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'1.2277310924369746 NG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'1.0109243697478991 NG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'1.3517241379310345 NG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'1.1336206896551724 NG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

VOCs & pesticides

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
1,2,3-TCPNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
BenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Benzo(a)pyreneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChloroethaneA volatile organic compound used in some industrial processes.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
ChloromethaneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
DalaponNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
DichlorodifluoromethaneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
SimazineNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Source: Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's 2025 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.

People also ask about Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's water

+Is Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA tap water safe to drink in 2025?

The 2025 Consumer Confidence Report for the Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Pce. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.

+What contaminants are in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA tap water?

135 contaminants were measured in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning other, metals, and pfas ("forever chemicals"). 83 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.

+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA tap water?

One contaminant in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's 2025 report sits at or above the federal limit: Pce (1.1× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.

+What is the worst contaminant in Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA tap water?

The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2025 report is Pce, at 1.1× the federal threshold. It belongs to the other family of contaminants.

+Where does the data on this page come from?

Every value is transcribed from Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's 2025 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.

+How often is Cal-water Service Co.-chico, CA's water quality data updated?

Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2025 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.

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