Tap Water Results

Is East Palo Alto, CA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of East Palo Alto.

City of East Palo Alto supplies East Palo Alto (29,519 people).

Water system

City of East Palo Alto

29,519 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA4110024

Buys treated water from San Francisco Regional Water System.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across California, 129 of 691 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. California results.

East Palo Alto homes and lead pipes

70%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
12%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
51%
of households rent (California 44%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for East Palo Alto city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Menlo Park 1 mi
California Water Service – Bear Gulch
California Water Service – Bear GulchNone above limits4 ppb
Palo Alto 5 mi
City of Palo Alto
City of Palo AltoNone above limits0 ppb
Redwood City 6 mi
City of Redwood City
City of Redwood CityNone above limits0 ppb
Mountain View 6 mi
City of Mountain View
City of Mountain ViewNone above limits0 ppb
Newark 6 mi
Alameda County Water District
Alameda County Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Los Altos 7 mi
California Water Service Los Altos Suburban
California Water Service Los Altos SuburbanNone above limits1.5 ppb
East Palo Alto ZIP codes (1)
  • 94303

Questions

Is East Palo Alto tap water safe to drink?

City of East Palo Alto has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in East Palo Alto, CA?

City of East Palo Alto, which serves 29,519 people.

Does East Palo Alto tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of East Palo Alto had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do East Palo Alto homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 70% of East Palo Alto homes as built before 1980 (California: 56%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of East Palo Alto's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.