Drinking water quality · 2026
· Verified
What's in Riverside, City of, CA tap water
125 contaminants were measured in the Riverside, City of, CA water system's 2026 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.
- Reporting year
- 2026
- Contaminants measured
- 125
- Over federal limit
- 0
- Approaching the limit
- 2
- Service area
- CA
state-level CCR
Approaching the limit (≥ 80%)
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
1 PFAS compound above EPA limits in Riverside, City of, CA
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 (1.0×)Measured 4 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2023Samples 1 detect / 4
below national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 4.1 ng/LSample year 2023Samples 2 detect / 4
below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 6.7 ng/LSample year 2023Samples 4 detect / 4
below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 9.1 mg/LSample year 2023Samples 2 detect / 4
below national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PWSID CA3310031 · 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
Riverside, City of, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 45 sources.
Source
45ground water
- RAUB · 5
- FLUME · 4
- GARNER · 3
- WARREN · 2
- + 30 more
Treatment
12treatment plants
- GAGE DELIVERY - TREATED
- 7TH & CHICAGO - DISTRIBUTION
- JW NORTH WTP - FINAL EFFLUENT
- + 9 more
Distribution
0storage units
Also buys water from WESTERN MWD.
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
6 contaminants historically over EPA limits in Riverside, City of, CA
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.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
TCE worst: 2012 | 0.027 mg/L 5.4× | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
GROSS BETA worst: 2015 | 15 mrem/yr 3.8× | 4 mrem/yr | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DBCP worst: 2012 | 0.00057 mg/L 2.8× above national p90 | 0.0002 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2014 | 0.02 mg/L 2.0× above national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE worst: 2016 | 17 mg/L 1.7× | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2016 | 17 mg/L 1.7× | 10 mg/L | '16'17'18 |
RADIUM 226 228 worst: 2019 | 4.5 pCi/L 90% near national p90 | 5 pCi/L | '19 |
DICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2014 | 0.0024 mg/L within | 0.005 mg/L | '14'16'17'19 |
TTHM worst: 2012 | 0.036 mg/L within | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DICHLOROETHYLENE 11 worst: 2016 | 0.0027 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.007 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2014 | 1.3 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PCE worst: 2012 | 0.0012 mg/L within | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'19 |
CHROMIUM worst: 2017 | 0.014 mg/L within above national p90 | 0.1 mg/L | '16'17'18'19 |
BARIUM worst: 2018 | 0.07 mg/L within below national p90 | 2 mg/L | '18'19 |
PICLORAM worst: 2012 | 0.0051 mg/L within | 0.5 mg/L | '12 |
URANIUM worst: 2016 | 0.0775 ug/L within 3.6× the national p90 | 30 ug/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
COPPER worst: 2017 | 0.14 mg/L below national p90 | — | '17'19 |
LEAD worst: 2012 | 0.0056 mg/L | — | '12'17 |
DBAA worst: 2013 | 0.0012 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.016 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.0034 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.012 mg/L | — | '12'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.0069 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PWSID CA3310031 · 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.
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2,3-TCP | 0.00431578947368421 UG/LAverageSource water | 0.005 UG/LMCL | Approaching the limit |
| AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Benzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 0.2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ChloroethaneA volatile organic compound used in some industrial processes. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Chloromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Dalapon | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 200 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Simazine | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Toluene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 150 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 1750 UG/LMCL | None detected |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 4.742465753424657 UG/LAverageSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 60 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamine | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| NDMA | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. | 34.5 UG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 10.646666666666667 PCI/LAverageSource water | 15 PCI/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0.8388888888888889 PCI/LAverageSource water | 5 PCI/LMCL | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 574.4444444444445 UMHO/CMAverageEntry point | 1600 UMHO/CMMCL | Within the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 350 MG/LAverageDistribution | 1000 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.06625 NTUAverageSource water | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | Not detected UNITSHighest single sampleOther | 15 UNITSMCL | None detected |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | Not detected TONHighest single sampleSource water | 3 TONMCL | None detected |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 104.53703703703704 MG/LAverageEntry point | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 205.55555555555554 MG/LAverageEntry point | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 7.775 PHAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 2.3936956521739132 UG/LAverageSource water | 10 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 34.44444444444444 UG/LAverageEntry point | 1000 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Antimony | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Beryllium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cadmium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 300 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Thallium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 5000 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 34.47222222222222 MG/LAverageEntry point | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 9.81111111111111 MG/LAverageEntry point | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 3.5749999999999997 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 45.4 MG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 71.6 MG/LAverageDistribution | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 33.55555555555556 MG/LAverageEntry point | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Asbestos | Not detected MFLHighest single sampleSource water | 7 MFLMCL | None detected |
| Cyanide | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 150 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected MG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 1 MG/LMCL | None detected |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbofuran | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 18 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Chlordane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 0.1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Chlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 70 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cis Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dcaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Deha | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 400 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dehp | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloroethane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloropropane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dinoseb | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 7 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Diquat | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 20 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Edb | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.05 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Endothall | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Endrin | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Glyphosate | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 700 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Heptachlor | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 0.01 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Heptachlor Epoxide | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 0.01 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Mbaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Mcaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Methoxychlor | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 30 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| O Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 600 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Oxamyl | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| P Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Pcb Total | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Pentachlorophenol | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Styrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 100 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Tcaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Toxaphene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 3 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trans Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 10 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichlorobenzene 124 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 111 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | 200 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 112 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Twofourd | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 70 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Vinyl Chloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None 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 water | None set | None detected |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.9395348837209302 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 2.7313953488372094 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.9081395348837209 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 1.2372093023255812 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 5.054651162790697 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Source: Riverside, City of, CA's 2026 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 Riverside, City of, CA's water
+Is Riverside, City of, CA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Every one of the 125 contaminants measured in Riverside, City of, CA's 2026 Consumer Confidence Report is below its federal limit. "Safe" under the EPA's drinking-water standards is health-based, not aesthetic — but by those standards, no measured contaminant in this report exceeds its enforceable threshold. Individual health concerns (e.g. immunocompromised, infant, pregnancy) may warrant additional filtering regardless of compliance.
+What contaminants are in Riverside, City of, CA tap water?
125 contaminants were measured in Riverside, City of, CA's 2026 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning other, metals, and pfas ("forever chemicals"). 82 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Are any contaminants in Riverside, City of, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
2 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Nitrate Nitrite and 1,2,3-TCP. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Riverside, City of, CA's 2026 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 Riverside, City of, 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 2026 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.
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