Tap Water Results

Is Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara.

3 public water systems serve parts of Santa Clara. The largest, City of Santa Clara, serves 134,587 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Santa Clara

134,587 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA4310012

Buys treated water from Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Francisco Regional Water System.

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: 2.7 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 Santa Clara 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.

Santa Clara homes and lead pipes

59%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
6%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
59%
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 Santa Clara city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Santa Clara

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Sunnyvale 4 mi
City of Sunnyvale
City of SunnyvaleNone above limits0 ppb
Cupertino 5 mi
California Water Service Los Altos Suburban
California Water Service Los Altos SuburbanNone above limits1.5 ppb
Milpitas 6 mi
City of Milpitas
City of MilpitasNone above limits2.5 ppb
Mountain View 7 mi
City of Mountain View
City of Mountain ViewNone above limits0 ppb
Los Altos 7 mi
California Water Service Los Altos Suburban
California Water Service Los Altos SuburbanNone above limits1.5 ppb
Fremont 9 mi
Alameda County Water District
Alameda County Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Santa Clara ZIP codes (4)
  • 95050
  • 95051
  • 95053
  • 95054

Questions

Is Santa Clara tap water safe to drink?

City of Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, CA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Santa Clara. The largest is City of Santa Clara (134,587 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Santa Clara tap water have PFAS?

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

Census estimates put 59% of Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara'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.