Health Violations Found CA 6 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Sfpuc City Distribution Division

EPA ID: CA3810011 · 848,019 people served · 29 ZIP codes

The EPA enforcement database lists 7 active violations for Sfpuc City Distribution Division — a provider that delivers drinking water to approximately 848,019 people and has not yet formally resolved those findings.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 58
Avg Safety Score
848,019
People Served
29
ZIP Codes Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0076 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged
$1.5M
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 85% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 27 (2021) to 54 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Sfpuc City Distribution Division Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$152,403
Median Household Income
876,286
Service Area Population
32%
Disadvantaged Population
29th
Poverty Percentile
1th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sfpuc City Distribution Division serves a community with a median household income of $152,403 and an estimated 876,286 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 32% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Sfpuc City Distribution Division's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
3th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
69th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in San Mateo County, California rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 69th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

89 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Pipe Material
7 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 93% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Sfpuc City Distribution Division compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Contaminant 0700 at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.0051 ppt, PFOS: 0.0065 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in California

C 14 violations
San Jose Water
1,039,920 people
B 2 violations
City of Fresno
545,716 people
B 5 violations
City of Sacramento Main
520,407 people
B 2 violations
B 19 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,141
Water Filtration $559
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $17
Total Estimated Cost $2,117

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $75,033

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$42,680
10 years
$85,360
20 years
$170,720

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,117 (one-time) vs. $85,360 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Sfpuc City Distribution Division (EPA ID: CA3810011) is a community water system in California that serves approximately 848,019 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 29 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

6 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 7 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Health-based Unresolved
June 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 6 Yes
Lead Inorganic 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
94011 0.0076 mg/L No N/A
94102 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94103 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94104 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94105 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94107 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94108 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94109 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94110 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94111 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94112 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94114 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94115 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94116 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94117 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94118 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94121 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94122 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94123 0.00305 mg/L No N/A
94124 0.00305 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 27 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Sfpuc City Distribution Division (CA3810011) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sfpuc City Distribution Division water safe to drink?

Sfpuc City Distribution Division has recorded 6 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Sfpuc City Distribution Division serve?

Sfpuc City Distribution Division serves approximately 848,019 people across 29 ZIP codes in California.

Where does Sfpuc City Distribution Division get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
628-215-0940
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Website
sfpuc.gov ↗
Address
P.O. Box 7369, San Francisco, CA 94120-7369

Contact information from Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chloramines
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinechloraminesfluorideozonationsodium hypochlorite

Source: Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report:
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) conducts watershed sanitary surveys for the Hetch Hetchy source annually and for non-Hetch Hetchy surface water sources every five years. The latest sanitary surveys for the non-Hetch Hetchy watersheds were completed in 2021 for the period of 2016-2020. Wildfire, wildlife, livestock, and human activities continue to be the potential contamination sources.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorinechloraminessodium hypochlorite
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride
Other reported chemicals
Reported by the utility but not in our annotation dictionary.
ozonation

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

WildfireWildlifeLivestock operationsHuman activities

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
696

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead service line replacement plan from Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report:
The SFPUC removed all known lead service lines in the 1980's. We have begun replacing the estimated 1,580 utility-owned galvanized steel service lines that may have lead whips. The replacement program is 77% complete and scheduled to be completed by mid-2026, four years ahead of schedule.

Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker

This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.

Get notified on replacement progress

Subscribers receive an email when this utility updates its LSL plan, files a milestone report, or adjusts replacement timelines. No marketing, no third-party sharing.

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Sfpuc City Distribution Division

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.

Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
653
Galvanized — Replacement Required
407
Unknown Material
181,647
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 848,019
Reported to California

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Aesthetic water quality

These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.

pH
9.3
How acidic or basic the water is on a 0-14 scale. Drinking water is typically near neutral.
EPA secondary range: 6.5 – 8.5
Fluoride
0.7 ppm
Utility adds fluoride
Measured fluoride concentration in parts per million.
EPA secondary MCL: 2.0 ppm
Alkalinity
60 ppm CaCO₃
Capacity of the water to neutralize acids, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.
Total dissolved solids
102 ppm
Mineral content remaining after evaporation, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and other dissolved substances.
EPA secondary MCL: 500 ppm

Aesthetic measurements from Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report.

Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Sfpuc City Distribution Division Consumer Confidence Report:
  • Began construction at the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant to install ozone treatment facilities.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Sfpuc City Distribution Division safe to drink?
Sfpuc City Distribution Division has a C safety grade based on 7 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Sfpuc City Distribution Division's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Contaminant 0700. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Sfpuc City Distribution Division serve?
Sfpuc City Distribution Division serves approximately 848,019 people with drinking water across 29 ZIP codes.
What is Sfpuc City Distribution Division's water source?
Sfpuc City Distribution Division draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Sfpuc City Distribution Division's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0076 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Sfpuc City Distribution Division's service area?
The Sfpuc City Distribution Division service area has a median household income of $152,403. EPA EJScreen data classifies 32% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Sfpuc City Distribution Division get its water?
Sfpuc City Distribution Division's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Sfpuc City Distribution Division (EPA ID: CA3810011) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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