Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Fresno?
Yes, tap water in Fresno is safe to drink. The city blends treated Kings River surface water with groundwater from local wells, and the supply meets EPA and California state standards. Legacy 1,2,3-TCP contamination in some Central Valley wells is now treated with activated carbon.
Water Source
The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities serves a blend of Sierra Nevada snowmelt from the Kings River, treated at the city's two surface water treatment facilities (the Southeast facility opened in 2018), and groundwater from roughly 250 municipal wells over the Kings groundwater basin.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and California's stricter state requirements. Wells affected by the legacy fumigant chemical 1,2,3-TCP were taken offline or fitted with granular activated carbon treatment after California set a strict TCP limit in 2017.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •1,2,3-TCP (trichloropropane), a legacy contaminant from soil fumigants used in Central Valley agriculture decades ago, was found in some Fresno wells; the city treats or bypasses affected wells and won settlements from the manufacturers to fund carbon treatment
- •Nitrates from agricultural runoff are a regional groundwater concern and are monitored well by well
- •EWG flags chromium-6 and TCP at levels above its own health guidelines, though the delivered supply meets legal limits
- •Disinfection byproducts are monitored and kept within EPA limits
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: City of Fresno Water Division 2024 CCR.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 0.8 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.7 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 2.1 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 4.6 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 14.2 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 9.7 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Chromium-6 | 0.18 µg/L | 0.02 µg/L | ⚠ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
Fresno's situation is typical of Central Valley cities like Bakersfield and Stockton: legally compliant water, but a groundwater legacy of agricultural chemicals that requires active well-by-well treatment, unlike snowmelt-fed coastal systems.
Tips
- •Water character varies by neighborhood depending on whether your area is fed by wells or surface water
- •The city publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with well-level TCP results
- •A carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin against trace organics if you're concerned
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