What was found in Poway'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 342.6 µg/L 8.6% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 212 µg/L 2.1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 105 µg/L 5.3% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 65.275 µg/L 82% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 48.7 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2025 | 1/1 | UCMR-5 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 28 µg/L 47% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 21.875 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 21.825 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 21.4 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 13.96 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 9.7 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 9.1275 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 8.173 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 7.551 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 6.594 pCi/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2014 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 4.84846 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2014 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 4.3445 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 2.45 µg/L 49% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2.134 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2019 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 0.4600 pCi/L 9.2% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2012 | 1/1 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: POWAY, CITY OF · 49,888 people · 2025 | 1/1 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Poway
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| POWAY, CITY OF | 49,888 |
Frequently asked questions about Poway tap water
Is Poway tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 21 contaminants in the water serving Poway. 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 Poway?
1 public water supplier report drinking-water monitoring for Poway, California to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Poway's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Poway include Fluoride, Nitrate, Barium, TTHM, Lithium. 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.