Water Quality in Sunnyvale, CA: No Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Sunnyvale, California has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 4 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.

The available EPA records report no violations across 4 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts for Sunnyvale. This does not guarantee the absence of contaminants.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Sunnyvale water systems is 0.0020 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 4 ZIP records with known lead status.

With 62% of homes built before 1986, Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale is served by 6 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 153,455 people across 5 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 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving Sunnyvale. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Sunnyvale

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. 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

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 2 enforcement actions against water systems serving Sunnyvale. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-02-28.

Sunnyvale vs. Nearby California Cities

How Sunnyvale's water quality compares to similar cities in California:

Recommended Water Filters for Sunnyvale

Based on contaminants detected in Sunnyvale's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)

• Removes: Disinfectant Residual 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:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

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:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Sunnyvale

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Sunnyvale's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

Common Questions About Sunnyvale Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Sunnyvale, California:

Is Sunnyvale water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Sunnyvale's 6 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Sunnyvale tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 4 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.

What is the best water filter for Sunnyvale? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house or under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.

Sunnyvale vs. California Average

Understanding how Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale.

ZIP Codes in Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale spans 5 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 4 directly mapped ZIP codes. 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

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.