Tap Water Results

Is Madera, 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 Madera.

3 public water systems serve parts of Madera. The largest, City of Madera, serves 66,560 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Madera

66,560 people · Groundwater · EPA ID CA2010002

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: 3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full City of Madera 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.

Madera homes and lead pipes

39%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
10%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
45%
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 Madera city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Madera

  • Riverstone/Rootcreek Water District
    10,276 people · Groundwater · California · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Madera County CSA 22C Gunner Ranch
    3,050 people · Groundwater · California · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Fresno 20 mi
City of Fresno
City of FresnoAbove limit0 ppb
Clovis 24 mi
City of Clovis
City of ClovisAbove limit0 ppb
Merced 32 mi
City of Merced
City of MercedAbove limit0 ppb
Sanger 34 mi
City of Sanger
City of SangerAbove limit0 ppb
Atwater 39 mi
City of Atwater
City of AtwaterAbove limit0 ppb
Los Banos 43 mi
City of Los Banos
City of Los BanosNone above limits0 ppb
Madera ZIP codes (1)
  • 93637

Questions

Is Madera tap water safe to drink?

City of Madera 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 Madera, CA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Madera. The largest is City of Madera (66,560 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Madera tap water have PFAS?

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

Census estimates put 39% of Madera 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 Madera'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.