Sacramento, California Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: City of Sacramento Main
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
Sacramento tap water has 16 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Arsenic. Additionally, 17 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Arsenic, Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs).
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 0.98 ppt | 0.00 ppt | 10 ppt | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 27.80 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Arsenic carcinogen | 1.54 ppb | 0.00 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 55.60 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 36.10 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 22.70 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 2.80 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 49.40 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 5.35 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 11.70 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 4.40 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 1.28 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 1.28 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 0.68 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) carcinogen | 0.55 ppt | 0.09 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Uranium carcinogen | 0.56 pCi/L | 0.43 pCi/L | 20 pCi/L | Above guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane carcinogen | 0.02 ppb | 0.35 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| 4-Androstene-3,17-dione | 0.03 ppt | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Aluminum | 0.90 ppb | 600 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Barium | 26.10 ppb | 700 ppb | 2,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 0.22 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 1.39 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.13 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Lithium | 1.68 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Manganese | 1.75 ppb | 100 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 0.02 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid | 0.35 ppb | 53 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | 0.15 ppt | 2,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 0.35 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | 0.07 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | 0.11 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | 0.39 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Selenium | 0.36 ppb | 30 ppb | 50 ppb | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.18 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Testosterone | 0.01 ppt | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 12.40 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
Health Context
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Arsenic carcinogen
Long-term exposure increases risk of skin cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer; chronic exposure causes neurological effects and cardiovascular disease.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 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.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Sacramento tap water safe to drink?
Sacramento tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 16 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 17 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in Sacramento water?
A total of 36 contaminants were detected in Sacramento tap water, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Of these, 16 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for Sacramento?
For Sacramento 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 Sacramento get its water?
Sacramento tap water is provided by City of Sacramento Main, serving approximately 520,746 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.
