Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in San Bernardino?
Yes, tap water in San Bernardino is safe to drink. The city pumps from the Bunker Hill groundwater basin, and wells affected by decades-old solvent and perchlorate plumes are treated with EPA-overseen systems before the water reaches taps.
Water Source
The San Bernardino Municipal Water Department pumps from wells in the Bunker Hill Basin, a large aquifer recharged by the Santa Ana River and mountain runoff. Wellhead treatment removes legacy contaminants where plumes exist.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and California limits; treatment for the Newmark/Muscoy plume operates under a long-running EPA Superfund remedy.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •TCE and PCE solvents from WWII-era operations created the Newmark and Muscoy groundwater plumes, an EPA Superfund site — affected wells run through granular activated carbon and air stripping before distribution
- •Perchlorate from historic industrial sites in the region (notably the Rialto–Colton area nearby) is monitored and treated where detected
- •Nitrate from historical agriculture appears in parts of the basin and is blended or treated below limits
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: San Bernardino Municipal Water Department 2024 CCR.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 0.9 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.7 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 2.2 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 3.9 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 16.8 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 11.3 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Chromium-6 | 0.21 µg/L | 0.02 µg/L | ⚠ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
San Bernardino is an example of a city drinking from a Superfund-affected aquifer safely: the remedy itself is the treatment system, cleaning the plume while producing compliant drinking water for decades.
Tips
- •Water served at the tap is treated and compliant; the plume history is about source management, not current tap safety
- •The department publishes well-by-well treatment details in its annual report
- •A carbon filter is optional for taste in this hard-water region
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