Is Redding, CA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

City of Redding, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

5 public water systems serve parts of Redding. The largest, City of Redding, serves 90,254 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Redding

90,254 people · Surface water · EPA ID CA4510005

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Above limit	14.1 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFOS Above limit	11.1 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFHxS Detected, below limit	7.25 ppt	10 ppt	Detected, below limit
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 98% of the California systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 90% of the California systems EPA tested.

Lead: 2.13 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 Redding 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.

Redding homes and lead pipes

43%

of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)

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 Redding city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Redding

Bella Vista Water District
18,767 people · Surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
Lithium above screening level
Clear Creek Community Services District – Anderson
8,900 people · Surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits
Centerville Community Services District
4,244 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits
Shasta Community Services District
3,069 people · Surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Chico 63 mi California Water Service – Chico	California Water Service – Chico	Above limit	0 ppb
Eureka 95 mi City of Eureka	City of Eureka	None above limits	2.3 ppb
Yuba City 106 mi City of Yuba City	City of Yuba City	None above limits	0.85 ppb
Lincoln 130 mi City of Lincoln	City of Lincoln	None above limits	0 ppb
Woodland 135 mi City of Woodland	City of Woodland	None above limits	0 ppb
Rocklin 135 mi Placer CWA – Foothill	Placer CWA – Foothill	None above limits	0 ppb

Redding ZIP codes (2)

96001
96002

Questions

Is Redding tap water safe to drink?

City of Redding has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. 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 Redding, CA?

5 public water systems serve parts of Redding. The largest is City of Redding (90,254 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Redding tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at City of Redding. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Redding homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 43% of Redding 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 Redding'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.