TapWaterGuide
Worldwide water safety reference
Safe California, United States · Last reviewed:

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Sacramento?

Yes, tap water in Sacramento is safe to drink. It's supplied by the Sacramento and American Rivers, treated to meet both EPA and California's stricter state drinking water standards.

Hardness
Soft to moderate
pH
7.3–7.8
TDS
ranges 100–180 ppm
EPA Status
Compliant
Soft
Moderate
Hard
Very Hard

Water Source

The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities draws from the Sacramento and American Rivers, treating water at two main plants before distribution.

EPA Compliance Status

Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and California's additional state-level requirements.

Notable Contaminants & Context

  • No significant compliance concerns
  • California regulates additional constituents like chromium-6 more strictly than federal minimums

How It Compares

Sacramento's river-sourced supply benefits from relatively strong Sierra Nevada snowpack-fed water quality compared to more heavily engineered Southern California systems.

Tips

  • The City of Sacramento publishes an annual water quality report
  • No need for bottled water around the city
  • Sierra snowpack levels influence seasonal river flow and treatment needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.