Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Fontana?
Yes, tap water in Fontana is safe to drink. Fontana Water Company serves a mix of local groundwater, Lytle Creek surface water, and imported State Water Project supplies, with treatment for legacy perchlorate where needed. All served water meets standards.
Water Source
Fontana Water Company, a subsidiary of San Gabriel Valley Water Company, blends local groundwater from the Chino, Rialto, and Lytle basins with Lytle Creek surface water and imported State Water Project water delivered through regional wholesalers tied to the Metropolitan Water District system.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and California limits.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •Perchlorate from the historic Rialto–Colton industrial plume affected some area wells; treatment systems remove it below California's strict standard
- •Nitrate from the region's dairy and citrus era appears in parts of the Chino basin and is treated or blended below limits
- •Imported water hardness and mineral content are a taste matter, not a safety one
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: Fontana Water Company 2024 CCR.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 1.1 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.7 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 2.3 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 3.1 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 21.6 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 14.8 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Chromium-6 | 0.12 µg/L | 0.02 µg/L | ⚠ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
Fontana sits at the edge of one of California's best-documented perchlorate plumes, and its water company was among those that installed early ion-exchange treatment — the served water has remained compliant throughout.
Tips
- •A pitcher filter improves the mineral taste of blended supplies
- •Fontana Water Company's annual report details which basins and treatment plants served your area
- •California's public notification rules mean any exceedance must be disclosed promptly
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality