Water Quality in Sacramento, CA: 204 Violations - Grade B
Grade B · Score 81/100 · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-07-18
Sacramento's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-07-18
The compliance record maintained by the EPA for Sacramento, CA documents 204 water violations - each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.
Water Quality Map: Sacramento, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Sacramento
Water quality varies across Sacramento's 102 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95822 | C | 68 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95823 | C | 68 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95833 | C | 68 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95815 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95816 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95818 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95819 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95820 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95825 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95826 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95831 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95834 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95837 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95838 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 95841 | B | 73 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Sacramento, California receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 81 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 11 water systems serving Sacramento have accumulated 204 EPA violations, including 102 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 102 ZIP codes serving approximately 846,557 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Sacramento'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
Lead testing data for Sacramento is currently being collected. The EPA requires all community water systems to test for lead under the Lead and Copper Rule.
With 69% of homes built before 1986, Sacramento 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.
Water Systems Serving Sacramento
Sacramento is served by 11 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 846,557 people across 102 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
The EPA has taken 6 enforcement actions against water systems serving Sacramento. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Sacramento
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
Contaminants Detected in Sacramento Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Sacramento's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 204 | 102 | Yes |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 3 enforcement actions against water systems serving Sacramento. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-08-20 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-09-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-02-06 | State Filed Judgment |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-08-20.
Sacramento vs. Nearby California Cities
How Sacramento's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento | B | 204 | 11 | 846,557 |
| San Francisco | C | 420 | 7 | 836,321 |
| San Jose | B | 57 | 7 | 1,014,813 |
| New Almaden | D | 0 | 1 | 1,039,920 |
Recommended Water Filters for Sacramento
Based on contaminants detected in Sacramento's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acids
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethanes
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Chromium, hexavalent
- Effectiveness: 85-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- iSpring RCC7AK
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Sacramento
Water quality varies across Sacramento's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95822 | 68 | C | 2 | 1 |
| 95823 | 68 | C | 2 | 1 |
| 95833 | 68 | C | 2 | 1 |
| 95815 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95816 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95818 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95819 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95820 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95825 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95826 | 73 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95899 | 83 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95894 | 83 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95887 | 83 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95867 | 83 | B | 2 | 1 |
| 95866 | 83 | B | 2 | 1 |
Common Questions About Sacramento Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Sacramento, California:
Is Sacramento water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Sacramento's 11 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Sacramento tap water? Sacramento's water receives a grade of B (81/100). There are 102 health-based violations - consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Sacramento? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, under-sink or whole-house) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Sacramento vs. California Average
Understanding how Sacramento 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 Sacramento.
ZIP Codes in Sacramento
Sacramento spans 102 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 94203. 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.