Tap Water Results

Is Los Banos, 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 Los Banos.

City of Los Banos supplies Los Banos (48,896 people).

Water system

City of Los Banos

48,896 people · Groundwater · EPA ID CA2410005

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: 1

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.

Los Banos homes and lead pipes

26%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
6%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
40%
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 Los Banos city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Atwater 24 mi
City of Atwater
City of AtwaterAbove limit0 ppb
Merced 26 mi
City of Merced
City of MercedAbove limit0 ppb
Turlock 30 mi
City of Turlock
City of TurlockNone above limits0.97 ppb
Patterson 33 mi
City of Patterson
City of PattersonNone above limits0 ppb
Hollister 34 mi
City of Hollister
City of HollisterNone above limits1.4 ppb
Ceres 38 mi
City of Ceres
City of CeresAbove limit0 ppb
Los Banos ZIP codes (1)
  • 93635

Questions

Is Los Banos tap water safe to drink?

City of Los Banos had 1 health-based violation 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 Los Banos, CA?

City of Los Banos, which serves 48,896 people.

Does Los Banos tap water have PFAS?

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

Census estimates put 26% of Los Banos 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 Los Banos'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.