Is Bakersfield, CA Tap Water Safe? Quality & Contaminants

What was found in Bakersfield's water

The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.

Contaminant	Level vs EPA limit	Suppliers	Source
Nitrate-Nitrite	549000 µg/L 5490% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 10000 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 750500 µg/L — KERN COUNTY WATER AGENCY · 0 people · 2019	4/50	SYR4
Nitrate	4068.9 µg/L 41% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 19450 µg/L — WILSON ROAD WATER COMMUNITY · 66 people · 2019	46/50	SYR4
Fluoride	344.5 µg/L 8.6% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 1195 µg/L — VAUGHN WC INC · 37,189 people · 2019	49/50	SYR4
Copper	63.6892 µg/L 4.9% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 190 µg/L — SAN JOAQUIN ESTATES MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 165 people · 2019	22/50	SYR4
Barium	82.0744 µg/L 4.1% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 189 µg/L — PANAMA ROAD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOC · 45 people · 2018	48/50	SYR4
Nitrite	136.018 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	2/50	SYR4
Bromate	100.55 µg/L 1006% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 10 µg/L Highest in the city: VAUGHN WC INC · 37,189 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
TTHM	48.82 µg/L 61% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 86.95 µg/L — THE ANNE SIPPI CLINIC-RIVERSIDE RANCH · 51 people · 2019	24/50	SYR4
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	53.8 µg/L 90% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 80.195 µg/L — OILDALE MWC · 44,899 people · 2019	29/50	SYR4
Chloroform	43.698 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 71.9 µg/L — THE ANNE SIPPI CLINIC-RIVERSIDE RANCH · 51 people · 2019	15/50	SYR4
Combined Uranium	7.34391 µg/L 24% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 62.729 µg/L — ROUND MOUNTAIN WATER COMPANY · 50 people · 2019	22/50	SYR4
Trichloroacetic Acid	29.7 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 44.52 µg/L — OILDALE MWC · 44,899 people · 2019	26/50	SYR4
Dichloroacetic Acid	23 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 39.065 µg/L — OILDALE MWC · 44,899 people · 2019	10/50	SYR4
Lead	8.4086 µg/L 56% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 39 µg/L — SAN JOAQUIN ESTATES MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 165 people · 2019	19/50	SYR4
Arsenic	12.721 µg/L 127% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 10 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 37.45 µg/L — EAST NILES CSD · 32,517 people · 2019	28/50	SYR4
Glyphosate	32 µg/L 4.6% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L Highest in the city: KERN COUNTY WATER AGENCY · 0 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
Bromoform	3.054 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 26.75 µg/L — LERDO SHERIFF S FACILITY · 2,800 people · 2019	25/50	SYR4
Dibromochloromethane	9.869 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 23.85 µg/L — OILDALE MWC · 44,899 people · 2019	25/50	SYR4
Selenium	2.3 µg/L 4.6% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 22.955 µg/L — CHOCTAW VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO. · 44 people · 2018	20/50	SYR4
Bromodichloromethane	10.8685 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 22.95 µg/L — OILDALE MWC · 44,899 people · 2019	18/50	SYR4
Lithium	14.8 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2025 Highest in the city: 20.6 µg/L — EAST NILES CSD · 32,517 people · 2025	4/50	UCMR-5
Chromium	3.1549 µg/L 3.2% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 20 µg/L — SAN JOAQUIN ESTATES MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 165 people · 2019	7/50	SYR4
Toluene	15 µg/L 1.5% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: HART FLAT BEAR MUTUAL WATER · 56 people · 2019	3/50	SYR4
Monobromoacetic Acid	13.575 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: KERN COUNTY WATER AGENCY · 0 people · 2019	6/50	SYR4
Tetrachloroethylene	2.53 µg/L 51% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 13.2 µg/L — OILDALE MWC · 44,899 people · 2019	2/50	SYR4
Monochloroacetic Acid	4.95 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 10.6 µg/L — VAUGHN WC INC · 37,189 people · 2019	7/50	SYR4
Cyanide	10 µg/L 5% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
Dibromoacetic Acid	2.37 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 8.255 µg/L — VICTORY MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 849 people · 2019	20/50	SYR4
Mercury	6.544 µg/L 327% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 2 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	7/50	SYR4
Gross Beta Particle Activity	2.4 pCi/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2018	1/50	SYR4
Antimony, Total	0.3872 µg/L 6.5% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 2.3 µg/L — MEADOWS OF THE KERN MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 32 people · 2019	5/50	SYR4
1,1-Dichloroethylene	1.366 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 7 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene	0.8020 µg/L 1.1% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
1,2-Dichloropropane	0.6345 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 0.8000 µg/L — VICTORY MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 849 people · 2019	2/50	SYR4
Trichloroethylene	0.6770 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
Ethylene Dibromide	0.0600 µg/L 120% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 0.0500 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 0.1900 µg/L — MAHER MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 140 people · 2019	4/50	SYR4
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE	0.0900 µg/L 45% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 0.1600 µg/L — VAUGHN WC INC · 37,189 people · 2019	10/50	SYR4
Cadmium	0.1510 µg/L 3% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019 Highest in the city: 0.1555 µg/L — MOUNTAIN MESA WC · 777 people · 2018	2/50	SYR4
Thallium, Total	0.0160 µg/L 0.8% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	2/50	SYR4
Lead	0.0013 mg/L 8.7% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2025 Highest in the city: 0.0140 mg/L — SCHWEIKART WATER SYSTEM · 27 people · 2025	49/50	LCR
Beryllium, Total	0.0118 µg/L 0.3% of the EPA limit 4 µg/L Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2019	2/50	SYR4
Heptachlor	0.0100 µg/L 2.5% of the EPA limit 0.4000 µg/L Highest in the city: KERN COUNTY WATER AGENCY · 0 people · 2019	1/50	SYR4
PFOS	0.0076 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2025	1/50	UCMR-5
PFNA	0.0047 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2025	1/50	UCMR-5
PFHXS	0.0042 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF · 160,144 people · 2025	1/50	UCMR-5
Pfhxa	0.0034 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: VAUGHN WC INC · 37,189 people · 2025	1/50	UCMR-5
Pfpea	0.0031 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: VAUGHN WC INC · 37,189 people · 2025	1/50	UCMR-5

Each bar shows the measured level as a share of the EPA limit: green is well under, amber is close to it, red is over. For lead and copper the limit applies to exactly the 90th-percentile figure shown, so red there means a real exceedance. For everything else the limit applies to a running annual average while the figure is the 95th percentile of the system's samples — over 100% is worth reading, but is not by itself a violation. Formal violations are listed separately. These are the utilities' own EPA-reported results, not a city-wide average. A detection means the lab measured the substance — it isn't the same as exceeding a legal limit. Hover a source tag to see the EPA program and years behind each figure.

Water suppliers serving Bakersfield

Supplier	Population served
BAKERSFIELD, CITY OF	160,144
OILDALE MWC	44,899
VAUGHN WC INC	37,189
EAST NILES CSD	32,517
GREENFIELD COUNTY WD	11,590
LERDO SHERIFF S FACILITY	2,800
VICTORY MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	849
MOUNTAIN MESA WC	777
RIVERDALE VILLAGE	750
BROCK MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	462
STOCKDALE ANNEX MUTUAL WATER	433
STOCKDALE RANCHOS MUTUAL WATER CO	393
ENOS LANE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT	365
MUSTANG MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM	200
MANON MANOR MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	200
EL ADOBE POA, INC.	200
STOCKDALE MUTUAL WATER CO.	200
ALLEN ROAD MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM	195
SAN JOAQUIN ESTATES MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	165
ATHAL MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM	150
HART CREEK ESTATES MUTUAL WATER CO.	148
MAHER MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	140
HARVEST MOON MUTUAL WATER CO	138
LONG CANYON WATER COMPANY CORP.	122
ST. CLAIR RANCHOS MUTUAL WATER CO.	105
OASIS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION	100
METTLER COUNTY WATER DISTRICT	90
GOOSELAKE WATER COMPANY	90
UPLANDS OF THE KERN MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	80
TOWN & COUNTRY WATER COMPANY	73
WILSON ROAD WATER COMMUNITY	66
WEGIS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	64
RANCHOS DEL RIO	62
HART FLAT BEAR MUTUAL WATER	56
THE ANNE SIPPI CLINIC-RIVERSIDE RANCH	51
AGAPE MUTUAL WATER SYSTEM	50
GOSFORD ROAD WATER COMPANY	50
ROUND MOUNTAIN WATER COMPANY	50
PANAMA ROAD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOC	45
CHOCTAW VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO.	44
KRANENBURG WATER SYSTEM	42
RIVERVIEW HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION	40
HEATH BRIMHALL P.O.A.	39
EAST WILSON ROAD WATER COMPANY	35
MEADOWS OF THE KERN MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	32
NORD ROAD WATER ASSOCIATION	32
WINI MUTUAL WATER COMPANY	29
NORTH KRANENBURG WS	28
SCHWEIKART WATER SYSTEM	27
KERN COUNTY WATER AGENCY	0

Frequently asked questions about Bakersfield tap water

Is Bakersfield tap water safe to drink?

EPA testing detected 47 contaminants in the water serving Bakersfield. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.

How many water suppliers serve Bakersfield?

50 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Bakersfield, California to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.

What contaminants are in Bakersfield's water?

The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Bakersfield include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Copper, Barium. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.

Where does this data come from?

Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.