Free tap water grades for 1,100+ water systems & 10,000+ ZIP codesFree tap water grades for 10,000+ ZIP codes Official EPA compliance records · Independent ratings

Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in San Jose, California

Served by 17 public water systems. 2,905,607 residents.

Average score 62/100
Utilities 17
Population 2,905,607
D
62/100
Below Average
ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Quick answer

Tap water in San Jose, California receives a grade of D (62/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by 17 public water systems, primarily CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - BEAR GULCH. The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; Chromium (hexavalent) significantly above health guideline; Arsenic significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv EWG Tap Water Database ⓘ How did we get this rating?

What's in San Jose's tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utilities serving San Jose.

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 29.2 ppb, 487x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 36.2 ppb, 362x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 38.6 ppb, 257x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.

Chromium (hexavalent) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Chromium (hexavalent) detected at 3.77 ppb, 189x above the EWG health guideline of 0.02 ppb.

Arsenic significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Arsenic detected at 0.225 ppb, 56x above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppb.

EPA compliance record

Official U.S. EPA records for CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - BEAR GULCH (system ID CA4110006) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.

No EPA violations in the last 3 years.
0 of 12quarters with a violation
Nolead above EPA action level
02/20/2025last state inspection

Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.

Water systems serving San Jose

San Jose is served by 17 public water systems. Click any utility to see its complete grade card and treatment plant contact info.

B
79/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - BEAR GULCH

Serves 61,431 residents

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
B
78/100

GREAT OAKS WC INC

Serves 110,088 residents

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Chromium (hexavalent) significantly above health guideline
  • Arsenic significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
B
75/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - SAN MATEO

Serves 102,348 residents

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
69/100

CAL-WATER SERVICE CO.-CHICO

Serves 114,925 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
69/100

CWSC SALINAS

Serves 123,679 residents

  • Arsenic significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Chromium (hexavalent) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
67/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE CO. - PALOS VER

Serves 71,452 residents

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
67/100

CWS - VISALIA

Serves 148,496 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
66/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE CO. - DOMINGUEZ

Serves 143,996 residents

  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
66/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE CO. - HERM/REDO

Serves 96,853 residents

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
C
65/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE-S SAN FRANCISCO

Serves 64,146 residents

  • Arsenic significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
53/100

CWSC LOS ALTOS SUBURBAN

Serves 69,973 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
53/100

CITY OF SAN JOSE - EVG/EDV/COY

Serves 101,265 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
51/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE CO. - ELA

Serves 152,474 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
50/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - LIVERMORE

Serves 60,414 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Arsenic* significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
49/100

CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - STOCKTON

Serves 176,266 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Arsenic significantly above health guideline
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
47/100

CWS - BAKERSFIELD

Serves 267,881 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Arsenic significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →
F
45/100

SAN JOSE WATER

Serves 1,039,920 residents

  • PFAS contamination
  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
View full grade card →

Recommended filters for San Jose

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in San Jose's water supply.

Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)

$180-$599

Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.

Aquasana AQ-5300 Under-Sink Filter
$180-$240 NSF 42, 53, 401, 372
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, 372
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
$429-$549 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

All contaminants detected in San Jose's tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

🇪🇺
San Jose's tap water would fail European Union drinking water standards. One or more detected contaminants exceed EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 limits, even though they may be fully legal under US EPA rules. View the standards we compare against →
Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based		 EPA
US legal		 EU DWD
Europe		 WHO
global		 CA PHG
strictest US		 Tested
sample year		 Status
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
PFAS		 10.5 ppt 0.3 4.0 100 100 1 — EPA violation
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
PFAS		 4.26 ppt 0.001 10.0 — — — — 4255× over
Arsenic
Heavy metal		 3.38 ppb 0.004 10.0 10 10 0.004 — 846× over
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Disinfection byproduct		 39.6 ppb 0.06 — — — — — 660× over
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct		 55.2 ppb 0.15 80.0 100 — — — 368× over
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct		 36.3 ppb 0.1 60.0 60 — — — 363× over
Arsenic*
Heavy metal		 1.42 ppb 0.004 10.0 10 10 0.004 — 355× over
Chromium (hexavalent)
Heavy metal		 4.39 ppb 0.02 — — — — — 220× over
Bromochloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct		 3.9 ppb 0.02 — — — — — 195× over
Dibromoacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct		 4.67 ppb 0.03 — — — — — 156× over
Bromodichloromethane
Disinfection byproduct		 9.19 ppb 0.06 — — — — — 153× over
Dibromochloromethane
Disinfection byproduct		 13.9 ppb 0.1 — — — — — 139× over
Trichloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct		 13.2 ppb 0.1 — — — — — 132× over
Chloroform
Disinfection byproduct		 49.1 ppb 0.4 — — — — — 123× over
Dichloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct		 19.6 ppb 0.2 — — — — — 98× over
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS)*
PFAS		 0.09 ppt 0.001 — — — — — 90× over
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
PFAS		 0.376 ppt 0.006 10.0 — — — — 63× over
Nitrate
Inorganic		 5.43 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 — 39× over
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
PFAS		 3.05 ppt 0.09 4.0 100 100 0.007 — 34× over
Nitrate and nitrite
Inorganic		 4.13 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 — 30× over
Bromoform
Disinfection byproduct		 13.4 ppb 0.5 — — — — — 27× over
Nitrate*
Inorganic		 3.28 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 — 23× over
Nitrate and nitrite*
Inorganic		 2.95 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 — 21× over
Bromate*
Disinfection byproduct		 1.68 ppb 0.1 10.0 10 10 0.1 — 17× over
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)*
PFAS		 1.38 ppt 0.09 4.0 100 100 0.007 — 15× over
Uranium
Radiological		 5.62 pCi/L 0.43 20.0 30 30 0.43 — 13× over
1,4-Dioxane
Semi-volatile organic compound		 2.6 ppb 0.35 — — 50 1 — 7.4× over
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
PFAS		 0.02 ppt 0.006 — — — — — 3.3× over
Uranium*
Radiological		 1.33 pCi/L 0.43 20.0 30 30 0.43 — 3.1× over
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Volatile organic compound		 0.155 ppb 0.06 5.0 — — — — 2.6× over
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
Radiological		 0.12 pCi/L 0.05 5.0 — — — — 2.5× over
Manganese
Heavy metal		 217.9 ppb 100.0 — 50 80 — — Fails EU
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS)*
PFAS		 2.12 ppt 1.0 — — — — — 2.1× over
Radium, combined (-226 and -228)*
Radiological		 0.07 pCi/L 0.05 5.0 — — — — 1.4× over
Chlorate
Disinfection byproduct		 262.3 ppb 210.0 — — — — — 1.2× over
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)*
Other		 3.1 ppt 3.0 — — — — — 1.0× over
Vanadium
Other		 17.8 ppb 21.0 — — — — — Below guideline
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
Other		 0.000527 ppb 0.0007 — — — — — Below guideline
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
Other		 2.01 ppt 3.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Bromochloromethane
Other		 0.0256 ppb 0.06 — — — — — Below guideline
Perchlorate
Disinfection byproduct		 0.409 ppb 1.0 — — — — — Below guideline
1,2,3-Trichloropropane*
Other		 0.000271 ppb 0.0007 — — — — — Below guideline
Barium
Heavy metal		 267.3 ppb 700.0 2000.0 — 1300 2000 — Below guideline
Trichloroethylene
Volatile organic compound		 0.152 ppb 0.4 5.0 10 20 1.7 — Below guideline
Perchlorate*
Disinfection byproduct		 0.332 ppb 1.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Selenium
Heavy metal		 6.04 ppb 30.0 50.0 20 40 30 — Below guideline
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
Other		 0.00033 ppb 0.0017 0.2 — — — — Below guideline
Molybdenum
Other		 6.18 ppb 40.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Aluminum*
Heavy metal		 77.5 ppb 600.0 — 200 — 600 — Below guideline
MTBE
Volatile organic compound		 1.45 ppb 13.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Thallium*
Heavy metal		 0.00804 ppb 0.1 2.0 — — — — Below guideline
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Other		 0.0199 ppb 0.3 5.0 — — — — Below guideline
Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS)
PFAS		 0.063 ppt 1.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Barium*
Heavy metal		 36.7 ppb 700.0 2000.0 — 1300 2000 — Below guideline
Aluminum
Heavy metal		 28.0 ppb 600.0 — 200 — 600 — Below guideline
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Semi-volatile organic compound		 0.1 ppb 3.0 6.0 — — — — Below guideline
Strontium
Radiological		 45.9 ppb 1500.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Dichloromethane (methylene chloride)
Volatile organic compound		 0.118 ppb 4.0 5.0 — — — — Below guideline
Selenium*
Heavy metal		 0.741 ppb 30.0 50.0 20 40 30 — Below guideline
6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTSA)
Other		 0.014 ppt 1.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Monochloroacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct		 0.718 ppb 53.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Beryllium*
Heavy metal		 0.00893 ppb 1.0 4.0 — — 1 — Below guideline
Monobromoacetic acid
Disinfection byproduct		 0.163 ppb 25.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Mercury (inorganic)
Heavy metal		 0.0059 ppb 1.2 2.0 1 6 1.2 — Below guideline
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
PFAS		 3.68 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)
PFAS		 2.66 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
PFAS		 2.33 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Monochloroacetic acid*
Disinfection byproduct		 0.0953 ppb 53.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)*
PFAS		 1.54 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Chloromethane
Other		 0.00405 ppb 2.69 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
PFAS		 1.41 ppt 2000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)*
PFAS		 0.638 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA)
PFAS		 0.624 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Cobalt
Other		 0.0429 ppb 70.0 — — — — — Below guideline
1,1-Dichloroethane
Volatile organic compound		 0.00139 ppb 3.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)*
PFAS		 0.333 ppt 1000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Trichlorotrifluoroethane
Other		 0.107 ppb 4000.0 — — — — — Below guideline
Bromide*
Other		 227.4 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Chlorodifluoromethane
Other		 0.353 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Chromium (total)*
Heavy metal		 3.03 ppb — 100.0 — — — — Below guideline
Dichlorodifluoromethane
Other		 0.653 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Fluoride
Inorganic		 0.663 ppm — 4.0 1.5 1.5 — — Below guideline
Lithium
Other		 42.7 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
4-Androstene-3,17-dione
Other		 0.016 ppt — — — — — — Below guideline
Chromium (total)
Heavy metal		 7.03 ppb — 100.0 — — — — Below guideline
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Volatile organic compound		 0.145 ppb — 70.0 — — — — Below guideline
Germanium
Other		 0.256 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Dibromomethane
Other		 0.034 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Volatile organic compound		 0.405 ppb — 7.0 — — — — Below guideline
1-Butanol
Other		 0.0905 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Fluoride*
Inorganic		 0.272 ppm — 4.0 1.5 1.5 — — Below guideline
Quinoline
Other		 0.00275 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Cyanide
Inorganic		 0.361 ppb — 200.0 50 70 150 — Below guideline
Di-n-butyl phthalate
Semi-volatile organic compound		 0.013 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
Lithium*
Other		 2.4 ppb — — — — — — Below guideline
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Other		 0.104 ppb — 200.0 — — — — Below guideline
Asbestos
Other		 0.02 — 7.0 — — — — 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, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - BEAR GULCH.

Treatment Plant

FacilityBEAR GULCH WTP - TREATED

ZIP codes served

San Jose's public water systems serve the following ZIP codes:

95101
95103
95106
95108
95109
95110
95111
95112
95113
95115
95116
95117
95118
95119
95120
95121
95122
95123
95124
95125
95126
95127
95128
95129
95130
95131
95132
95133
95134
95135
95136
95138
95139
95141
95148
95150
95151
95152
95153
95154
95155
95156
95157
95158
95159
95160
95161
95164
95170
95172
95173
95190
95191
95192
95193
95194
95196