San Jose, California Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: Santa Clara Valley Water District
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
San Jose tap water has 16 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Additionally, 15 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Bromodichloromethane.
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 1.55 ppt | 0.00 ppt | 10 ppt | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 36.20 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 47.20 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 12.70 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 17 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 4.09 ppb | 0.03 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 3.86 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 8.57 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 3.76 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 8.86 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromate carcinogen | 1.68 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) carcinogen | 1.38 ppt | 0.09 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 0.23 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 1.67 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 0.50 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 0.50 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Bromide | 72.30 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 132.10 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.23 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Lithium | 2.40 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Manganese | 0.40 ppb | 100 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 0.52 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid | 0.35 ppb | 25 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid | 0.10 ppb | 53 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) | 0.05 ppt | 3 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | 0.14 ppt | 2,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 0.33 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | 0.20 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | 1.26 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | 1.54 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Uranium carcinogen | 0.09 pCi/L | 0.43 pCi/L | 20 pCi/L | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 0.65 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 (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.
Bromodichloromethane carcinogen
Bromodichloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) disinfection byproduct that damages liver and kidneys with chronic exposure. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen based on animal carcinogenicity data.
Dibromochloromethane carcinogen
Dibromochloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) that may increase cancer risk and cause liver and kidney damage with chronic exposure at elevated levels.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
Echo RO System
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose tap water safe to drink?
San Jose tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 16 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 15 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in San Jose water?
A total of 32 contaminants were detected in San Jose tap water, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA5). Of these, 16 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for San Jose?
For San Jose 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 San Jose get its water?
San Jose tap water is provided by Santa Clara Valley Water District, serving approximately 1,934,171 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.
