Tap Water Results

Is Eureka, 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 Eureka.

2 public water systems serve parts of Eureka. The largest, City of Eureka, serves 27,078 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Eureka

27,078 people · Purchased groundwater · EPA ID CA1210004

Buys treated water from City of Arcata, Humboldt Community Services District, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District.

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: 2.3 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

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.

Eureka homes and lead pipes

83%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
43%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
52%
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 Eureka city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Eureka

  • Humboldt Community Services District
    19,775 people · Groundwater · California · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Redding 95 mi
City of Redding
City of ReddingAbove limit2.13 ppb
Chico 141 mi
California Water Service – Chico
California Water Service – ChicoAbove limit0 ppb
Windsor 171 mi
Town of Windsor
Town of WindsorNone above limits0 ppb
Yuba City 174 mi
City of Yuba City
City of Yuba CityNone above limits0.85 ppb
Santa Rosa 179 mi
City of Santa Rosa
City of Santa RosaNone above limits1.32 ppb
Rohnert Park 185 mi
Marin Municipal Water District
Marin Municipal Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Eureka ZIP codes (1)
  • 95501

Questions

Is Eureka tap water safe to drink?

City of Eureka 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 Eureka, CA?

2 public water systems serve parts of Eureka. The largest is City of Eureka (27,078 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Eureka tap water have PFAS?

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

Census estimates put 83% of Eureka 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 Eureka'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.