San Diego Water Quality: What You Need to Know in 2025

If you are reading this article, you may be wondering, "Is San Diego water safe to drink?". From La Jolla to Chula Vista, residents are paying more attention to their water quality.

San Diego meets California drinking water quality standards, but that doesn't always mean it's risk-free. In this guide, we’ll assess your water quality and how a water filter can help you feel better about what you’re drinking.

Who Regulates San Diego’s Drinking Water?

Understanding San Diego water regulations is the first step in evaluating its quality. Oversight comes from multiple levels:

• Federal: The EPA enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• State: The California State Water Resources Control Board sets statewide drinking water quality standards.
• Local: The San Diego Public Utilities Department and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board enforce, treat, and monitor city water.

But there’s a catch: Not all contaminants have enforceable limits. They monitor them, but they do not fully regulate them.

Where Does San Diego Get Its Water?

Multiple places—and that’s part of the challenge. San Diego’s water supply sources are a logistical juggling act. The city blends water from:

• The Colorado River
• California’s State Water Project
• Desalination plants
• Local reservoirs like Lake Hodges and San Vicente

These are managed by the San Diego County Water Authority, which also helps service nearby communities. For instance, Coronado water quality can vary depending on aging infrastructure and its share of imported sources.

What the Annual Water Quality Report Reveals

Each year, the city publishes a San Diego water quality report, also called the Consumer Confidence Report. The 2023 report shows legal compliance but doesn’t always align with the latest health-based guidelines.

Contaminants like chlorite, bromate, and total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are present at levels close to the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).

Note: Utilities often record contaminants as "Not Detected" if they fall below the minimum reporting level. This means that some substances may be present but not reported if below this threshold.

What the EWG Found in San Diego’s Water

San Diego’s official water reports paint one picture—but the Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers another. Their tap water database applies stricter health-based guidelines and shows troubling findings from 2021–2023:

San Diego also had traceable amounts of PFAS. While below EPA minimum reporting levels, they still exceeded EWG guidelines:

• PFOS: 0.096 ppt (EWG limit = 0.3 ppt)
• PFHxA: 0.104 ppt (EWG limit = 1,000 ppt)

Top Contaminants Threatening San Diego’s Water Quality

Even though chromium-6 is not a top 5 contaminant, it has still affected San Diego.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) sets the Public Health Goal (PHG) for chromium-6. Since 2011, the goal set by OEHHA is 0.02 ppb. This indicates that even low concentrations may pose health concerns over long-term exposure.

The City of San Diego's 2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report showed an average 0.09 ppb chromium-6 concentration. Detected levels ranged from 0.08 to 0.10 ppb in certain treatment plants. This average exceeds the state's PHG of 0.02 ppb, underscoring the importance of monitoring and potential mitigation.

Health Risks of Contaminants in San Diego Water

Contaminants found in San Diego tap water pose several health risks, especially with long-term exposure. Here are the top health concerns:

Lead Toxins in San Diego Schools

The San Diego Unified School District has replaced over 1,500 drinking fountains and installing filtered hydration stations throughout schools. The district also lowered its internal lead action level to 5 ppb, which is stricter than the federal limit of 15 ppb.

However, isolated incidents remain a concern. For example, at La Petite Academy, a lead level sample measured an alarming 11,300 ppb—far exceeding safety limits.

These changes are commendable, but the wait time for continued sanctioned upgrades could put children at risk. Families should consider additional protection to ensure safer water at school and home.

PRO+AQUA Solutions for San Diego Tap Water

The good news is that there are easy and effective at-home options to ensure your water safety. PRO+AQUA designs filtration systems that address the unique challenges of San Diego's water.

Discover more PRO+AQUA water filtration solutions.

How to Test San Diego Water in Your Home

For true confidence in what you're drinking, municipal testing isn’t enough. If you notice unusual smells, colors, or tastes, it’s time to test your tap water. You can even do so with an at-home water testing kit.

Water testing that San Diego residents conduct themselves often reveals localized issues that city-wide reports can’t catch. Home test kits or professional water testing services can identify contaminants and guide your filtration needs.

Should You Use In-Home Water Filters in San Diego?

Yes. Even small traces of contaminants like lead, PFAS, or chromium-6 in water can build up over time.

Installing under-sink or whole-house solutions in San Diego is about more than taste—it's about long-term health.

Solutions for Improving San Diego City Water Quality

Taking initiative is easier than you think. Here’s how to improve water quality in San Diego:

• Install a system to filter and clean tap water in San Diego.
• Consider water softeners to manage San Diego water hardness, which protects plumbing and appliances.
• Stay informed using City of San Diego water resources and public alerts.
• Support and participate in local water conservation and infrastructure projects.

Don’t wait for regulations or infrastructure projects to take control of your water. Invest in a home water filtration system that protects your family every day with cleaner water.

FAQ: San Diego Tap Water

Is San Diego tap water safe to drink in 2025?

San Diego tap water meets state standards but may still contain contaminants like PFAS, TTHMs, and HAA5 at levels above health guidelines. While it's legally safe, many residents use home filtration systems for added protection and peace of mind.

What are the main contaminants in San Diego drinking water?

Common contaminants include PFAS, TTHMs, HAA5, chromium-6, chlorite, and bromate. These chemicals and byproducts can increase cancer risk, cause developmental issues, and disrupt the immune system over time.

What is the Environmental Working Group (EWG) saying about San Diego’s water?

The EWG database shows that San Diego water contains contaminants that exceed their stricter health guidelines. Even if these chemicals remain below federal limits, they may still pose long-term health risks.

Are San Diego Schools doing anything about lead poisoning?

San Diego Unified School District has installed filtered hydration stations and set a stricter 5 ppb lead limit. Despite these efforts, some isolated cases show the presence of lead, especially in older buildings.

What is the most effective way to filter San Diego tap water?

PRO+AQUA whole-house systems with reverse osmosis and water softening are effective at purifying San Diego tap water. This combo targets local issues like hard water, chlorine byproducts, and heavy metals for cleaner, safer water.

Where can I find updates about my water quality in San Diego?

Your City of San Diego water bill often links to water quality updates, infrastructure projects, and seasonal alerts. You can also visit the City of San Diego water website for conservation tips and public water quality reports.