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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for CWS - BAKERSFIELD • Updated September 2026
Grade C — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
CWS - BAKERSFIELD has a mixed record — read the reasons below; the deductions come from real EPA violations, lead results or PFAS detections, not from a template.
Bakersfield, CA tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
Bakersfield, CA tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
CWS - BAKERSFIELD's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 2.8 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-07-11 to 2026-04-06) detected PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
No. EPA's SDWIS shows no violations of any kind for CWS - BAKERSFIELD since 2016.
CWS - BAKERSFIELD reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 267,881 people (EPA PWSID CA1510003).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
Compare filter options for your Bakersfield tap water
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Bakersfield's UCMR5 sampling.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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CWS - BAKERSFIELD · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years.
No violations of any kind on file since 2016.
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by CWS - BAKERSFIELD
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31), 90% of the homes CWS - BAKERSFIELD sampled had lead at or below 2.8 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | 2.8 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2019-01-01 → 2021-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2016-01-01 → 2018-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2011-01-01 → 2013-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2008-01-01 → 2010-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2004-01-01 → 2004-12-31 | 1 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2002-01-01 → 2004-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 1 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 5.3 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2001-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2023-07-11 to 2026-04-06 · 2,842 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFOA and PFOS measured at or above EPA's legal limit in at least one sample. Utilities have until 2029 (2031 under EPA's proposed extension) to comply with the 2024 PFAS rule, so a result above the MCL today is not yet a violation — but it is the number that matters for your health.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 3 / 98 | 9.1 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 19 / 98 | 14 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 10 / 98 | 7.3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 98 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 98 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 2 / 98 | 6.6 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHpA | 1 / 98 | 3.5 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHxA | 3 / 98 | 4.6 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFPeA | 9 / 98 | 5.5 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
Lithium (also monitored under UCMR5, not a PFAS): detected in 22 of 98 samples, max 14.6 µg/L. There is no federal limit for lithium.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for CWS - BAKERSFIELD · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples CWS - BAKERSFIELD reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 580423 detects | 2.687 µg/L | 9.532 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 464435 detects | 1.842 mg/L | 7.472 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0.247 mg/L | 0.34 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 6726 detects | 0.765 µg/L | 3.929 µg/L | 100 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Uranium (combined) | 6139 detects | 1.886 µg/L | 5.29 µg/L | 30 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 639338 detects | 15.775 µg/L | 116.6 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 4 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 254211 detects | 25.089 µg/L | 77 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 10 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Lead (tap samples) | 8532 detects | 0.238 µg/L | 1.746 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 9232 detects | 3.192 µg/L | 15.441 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Bakersfield will follow up - no obligation.
CWS - BAKERSFIELD · 67,456 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
CWS - BAKERSFIELD reports no confirmed lead service lines, but 52,060 lines (77%) have not yet been verified, so lead cannot be ruled out for those homes. Utilities must keep investigating unknown lines under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID CA1510003 · See all California lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Bakersfield homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Bakersfield faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Bakersfield households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Bakersfield residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306 +6 more). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Bakersfield yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Bakersfield ranks #122 of 163 graded California cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Bakersfield's water, with removal options for each.
Bakersfield, CA tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution.
CWS - BAKERSFIELD's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 2.8 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-07-11 to 2026-04-06) detected PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
No. EPA's SDWIS shows no violations of any kind for CWS - BAKERSFIELD since 2016.
CWS - BAKERSFIELD reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 267,881 people (EPA PWSID CA1510003).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Bakersfield's UCMR5 sampling.
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Reverse osmosis systems for PFAS
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough filtration class against PFAS — browse Waterdrop RO systems and check each model’s own tested claims.
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Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
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