Tap Water Results

Is Newark, 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 Alameda County Water District.

2 public water systems serve parts of Newark. The largest, Alameda County Water District, serves 344,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Alameda County Water District

344,000 people · Surface water · EPA ID CA0110001

Buys treated water from City of Milpitas, San Francisco Regional Water System, City of Hayward.

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

Full Alameda County Water District 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.

Newark homes and lead pipes

59%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
5%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
31%
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 Newark city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Newark

  • San Francisco Regional Water System
    600 people · Surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Fremont 5 mi
Alameda County Water District
Alameda County Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
East Palo Alto 6 mi
City of East Palo Alto
City of East Palo AltoNone above limits0 ppb
Menlo Park 7 mi
California Water Service – Bear Gulch
California Water Service – Bear GulchNone above limits4 ppb
Union City 7 mi
Alameda County Water District
Alameda County Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Mountain View 8 mi
City of Mountain View
City of Mountain ViewNone above limits0 ppb
Sunnyvale 8 mi
City of Sunnyvale
City of SunnyvaleNone above limits0 ppb
Newark ZIP codes (1)
  • 94560

Questions

Is Newark tap water safe to drink?

Alameda County Water District 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 Newark, CA?

2 public water systems serve parts of Newark. The largest is Alameda County Water District (344,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Newark tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Alameda County Water District 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 Newark homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 59% of Newark 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. Alameda County Water District'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.