Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
CITY OF LINCOLN
CITY OF LINCOLN delivers tap water graded C (67/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 54,538 residents in LINCOLN, California using surface water (purchased). The most significant water quality concerns are: Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 916-434-2450.
Is LINCOLN tap water safe to drink?
CITY OF LINCOLN delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (67/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 54,538 residents in LINCOLN, drawing from surface water (purchased).
Public testing data identifies 12 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Trichloroacetic acid, Chloroform, Dichloroacetic acid, Bromodichloromethane, Chromium (hexavalent), Nitrate, Nitrate and nitrite, Dibromochloromethane. For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for LINCOLN residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for CITY OF LINCOLN.
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 2.8 ppt, 2800x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 31.1 ppb, 519x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 36.2 ppb, 362x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Contact CITY OF LINCOLN
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for LINCOLN
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 67/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
2.8 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 2800× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
31.1 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 519× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
36.2 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 362× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
38.2 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 255× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
13.0 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 130× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
35.5 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 89× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
11.8 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 59× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
2.49 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 42× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.844 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 42× over |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
2.49 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 18× over |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
2.43 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | 17× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
0.127 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.3× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
180.7 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
4.95 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
35.3 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Bromoform Disinfection byproduct |
0.0222 ppb | 0.5 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum* Heavy metal |
8.54 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Selenium* Heavy metal |
0.408 ppb | 30.0 | 50.0 | 20 | 40 | 30 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
1.08 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid* Disinfection byproduct |
0.0298 ppb | 25.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0752 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.273 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
CITY OF LINCOLN service area
This water system serves 1 community in Placer County, California. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for LINCOLN water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.