Oakland, California Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: East Bay Municipal Utility District
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
Notable Concerns
Oakland tap water has 5 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Additionally, 5 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs).
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 36.20 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 43.70 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 54.70 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Bromate carcinogen | 0.90 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 0.05 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Aluminum | 10.60 ppb | 600 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 171.50 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Near guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.69 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Manganese | 0.52 ppb | 100 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 0.15 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 0.49 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.09 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 0.67 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
Health Context
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Bromate carcinogen
Bromate is a probable human carcinogen that can increase kidney and gastrointestinal cancer risk with chronic exposure. Long-term consumption above 0.010 mg/L (EPA MCL) is associated with increased cancer mortality.
Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
Echo RO System
Reverse osmosis filtration removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and more. The gold standard for drinking water purification.
View RO SystemsEcho Under-Sink Filter
Point-of-use filtration designed to remove heavy metals, lead, arsenic, and PFAS right at your kitchen faucet.
View Under-Sink FiltersEcho Hydrogen Water Flask
Once your water is clean, supercharge it. Molecular hydrogen is the smallest, most bioavailable antioxidant — shown to reduce inflammation, boost energy, and support cellular health.
Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Oakland tap water safe to drink?
Oakland tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 5 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 5 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in Oakland water?
A total of 13 contaminants were detected in Oakland tap water, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5). Of these, 5 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for Oakland?
For Oakland tap water, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water — it removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. For shower and bath water, a whole-home filtration system reduces chlorine and volatile organics.
Where does Oakland get its water?
Oakland tap water is provided by East Bay Municipal Utility District, serving approximately 1,430,200 people. For detailed source water information, contact your local utility or visit the EPA's SDWIS database.
Nearby City Water Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: March 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
