Is Pacifica, 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 North Coast County Water District.
North Coast County Water District supplies Pacifica (38,546 people).
Water system
North Coast County Water District
38,546 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA4110025
Buys treated water from City of Daly City, Westborough Water District, San Francisco Regional Water System, City of San Bruno.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
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 2025, 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.
Pacifica homes and lead pipes
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 Pacifica city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| San Bruno 3 mi California Water Service – South San Francisco | None above limits | 4.1 ppb |
| Daly City 6 mi City of Daly City | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Burlingame 6 mi City of Burlingame | None above limits | 6.3 ppb |
| South San Francisco 6 mi California Water Service – South San Francisco | None above limits | 4.1 ppb |
| San Mateo 10 mi California Water Service – San Mateo | None above limits | 4.4 ppb |
| Belmont 12 mi California Water Service – San Mateo | None above limits | 4.4 ppb |
Pacifica ZIP codes (1)
- 94044
Questions
Is Pacifica tap water safe to drink?
North Coast 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 Pacifica, CA?
North Coast County Water District, which serves 38,546 people.
Does Pacifica tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. North Coast 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 Pacifica homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 82% of Pacifica 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. North Coast 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.