Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA tap water
68 contaminants were measured in the SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 68
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 2
- Worst contaminant
- Chromium, Hexavalent
- Service area
- CA
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 7 sources.
Source
- ZOO
- LAKE MERCED WELL
- WEST SUNSET WELL
- SOUTH SUNSET WELL
- + 3 more
Treatment
- WEST SUNSET CHLORINATION TREATMENT
- ZOO WELL 05 WELLHEAD TREATMENT
Distribution
Also buys water from SAN FRANCISCO REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
2 contaminants historically over EPA limits in SFPUC City Distribution Division, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
NITRATE worst: 2019 | 13.6 mg/L 1.4× | 10 mg/L | '18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2018 | 11 mg/L 1.1× | 10 mg/L | '18'19 |
PCE worst: 2019 | 0.00247 mg/L within | 0.005 mg/L | '18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2016 | 0.0026 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '16'17 |
CHROMIUM worst: 2018 | 0.0216 mg/L within 2.2× the national p90 | 0.1 mg/L | '18'19 |
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE worst: 2019 | 0.00099 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.005 mg/L | '18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2016 | 0.677 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '15'16'18 |
COPPER worst: 2017 | 0.269 mg/L below national p90 | — | '17 |
LEAD worst: 2017 | 0.00673 mg/L | — | '17 |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 16.66875 UG/LAverageSource water | 10 UG/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 110.5 UG/LAverageSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 55.8 UG/LAverageOther | 1000 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Antimony | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1000 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Beryllium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cadmium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 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 sampleSource water | 5000 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 3.41 MG/LAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 0.354 MG/LAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 5.62 MG/LAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 29.239583333333332 UG/LAverageDistribution | 60 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 35.827083333333334 UG/LAverageDistribution | 80 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 0.7666666666666666 UG/LAverageSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| BromoformA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| BromodichloromethaneA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 2.734583333333333 UG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. | 64.3 UG/LAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ChloroformA trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. | 32.294583333333335 UG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| DibromochloromethaneA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 1.125625 UG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 5 UNITSAverageOther | 15 UNITSMCL | Within the limit |
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 532.4 UMHO/CMAverageSource water | 1600 UMHO/CMMCL | Within the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 303.6 MG/LAverageSource water | 1000 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.43 NTUAverageSource water | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | Not detected TONHighest single sampleDistribution | 3 TONMCL | None detected |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 8.066666666666666 MG/LAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 9.25 MG/LAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 9.33 PHAverageOther | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 40.96 MG/LAverageSource water | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 33.396 MG/LAverageSource water | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected MG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 MG/LMCL | None detected |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 70 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cis Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dbaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Dichloroethane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloroethylene 11 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloropropane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Mbaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| O Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 600 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| P Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Styrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Tce | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 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 sampleSource water | 200 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 112 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Vinyl Chloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dcaa | 18.377083333333335 UG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Mcaa | 1.0958333333333334 UG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Tcaa | 10.685416666666667 UG/LAverageDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Toluene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 150 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1750 UG/LMCL | None detected |
People also ask about SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA's water
+Is SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Chromium, Hexavalent. 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 SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA tap water?
68 contaminants were measured in SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning other, metals, and disinfection byproducts. 52 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 SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA tap water?
One contaminant in SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: Chromium, Hexavalent (1.7× 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 SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Chromium, Hexavalent, at 1.7× the federal threshold. It belongs to the metals family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
2 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Nitrate Nitrite and Nitrate. 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 SFPUC City Distribution Division, CA's 2024 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 SFPUC City Distribution Division, 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 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.