Water Quality in Daly City, CA: No Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 75/100 · 1 water system · Updated 2026-05-03
Daly City's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Daly City, CA has zero reported violations — 1 water system, all compliant.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Daly City
Water quality varies across Daly City's 4 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94014 | B | 73 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 94015 | B | 73 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 94016 | B | 76 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 94017 | B | 76 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Daly City, California receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 75 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
No EPA violations have been recorded for the 1 water system serving Daly City. This is a positive indicator, though it does not guarantee the absence of all contaminants — some substances (like PFAS) are not yet fully regulated.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Daly City's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Daly City water systems is 0.0071 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 82% of homes built before 1986, Daly City has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Radon Risk
Daly City is in EPA Radon Zone 2 (Moderate risk). Testing is recommended, especially for homes with basements or ground-level living spaces.
Water Systems Serving Daly City
Daly City is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 104,901 people across 4 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
How to Check Your Water in Daly City
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Daly City vs. Nearby California Cities
How Daly City's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City | B | 0 | 1 | 104,901 |
| Burbank | B | 39 | 1 | 105,603 |
| North Hollywood | C | 0 | 1 | 105,603 |
| Sun Valley | D | 0 | 1 | 105,603 |
Recommended Water Filters for Daly City
Based on contaminants detected in Daly City's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
- Removes: Chlorate
- Effectiveness: 70-90%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramine (as chlorine)
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Total Trihalomethanes
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Daly City
Water quality varies across Daly City's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94014 | 73 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 94015 | 73 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 94016 | 76 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 94017 | 76 | B | 0 | 0 |
Common Questions About Daly City Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Daly City, California:
Is Daly City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Daly City's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Daly City tap water? Daly City's water receives a grade of B (75/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Daly City? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Daly City vs. California Average
Understanding how Daly City compares to the broader California average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Daly City.
ZIP Codes in Daly City
Daly City spans 4 ZIP codes. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.