Tap Water Results

Is Escondido, 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 Escondido.

6 public water systems serve parts of Escondido. The largest, City of Escondido, serves 137,044 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Escondido

137,044 people · Surface water · EPA ID CA3710006

Buys treated water from Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District (Irrigation District-1), San Diego County Water Authority.

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: 1.1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full City of Escondido results

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.

Escondido homes and lead pipes

47%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
4%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
47%
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 Escondido city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Escondido

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
San Marcos 6 mi
Vista Irrigation District
Vista Irrigation DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Vista 10 mi
Vista Irrigation District
Vista Irrigation DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Poway 10 mi
City of Poway
City of PowayNone above limits0 ppb
Carlsbad 12 mi
Carlsbad Municipal Water District
Carlsbad Municipal Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Encinitas 12 mi
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Olivenhain Municipal Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Oceanside 15 mi
City of Oceanside
City of OceansideNone above limits0 ppb
Escondido ZIP codes (4)
  • 92025
  • 92026
  • 92027
  • 92029

Questions

Is Escondido tap water safe to drink?

City of Escondido 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 Escondido, CA?

6 public water systems serve parts of Escondido. The largest is City of Escondido (137,044 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Escondido tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Escondido 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 Escondido homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 47% of Escondido 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 Escondido'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.