WaterQ
California State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Bakersfield tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
B

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 79/100.

Safety Score
79
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Bakersfield?

Read Decision Guide →

Bakersfield

California

View California state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Bakersfield tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 79/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Bakersfield. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 01:00 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Bakersfield.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Bakersfield?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Wondering if Bakersfield tap water needs filtering? We break it down.

Baby Formula Safety

Mixing baby formula with Bakersfield tap water? Read this first.

Homebuyer's Perspective

If you're house-hunting in Bakersfield, water quality belongs on your due-diligence checklist alongside schools and crime data. With a score of 79/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Selenium levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Bakersfield

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
8
Contaminants Tracked
0
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Bakersfield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bakersfield tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 79/100.

How many water systems serve Bakersfield?

Bakersfield is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Bakersfield?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Bakersfield.

What is the water quality score for Bakersfield?

The water quality score for Bakersfield is 79 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Bakersfield?

The top contaminants detected in Bakersfield include Selenium, Gross Alpha Particle Activity, Trichloroethylene (TCE). View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
79/100
Grade
B
Water Systems
9
Population
135,431

Bakersfield Water Quality Summary

Bakersfield, CA receives a water quality score of 79/100 (Grade B) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 9 public water systems serving the area.

Bakersfield's water quality is near the national average. While most systems meet EPA standards, some violations have been recorded. Residents may wish to review their specific water system's report for contaminant details.

Bakersfield's score of 79 is 11 points below the California state average of 90, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

As a mid-size California city, Bakersfield benefits from drinking water that maintains a respectable, above-average quality. Tap water here is distributed through nearly ten separate systems, which interact with the varied geology and large agricultural backdrop typical of the West Coast and the Central Valley. For prospective homebuyers, this setup means that while general water quality is solid, local conditions may vary slightly depending on which of these systems serves your specific neighborhood.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our California water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Selenium
30.9614 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L
Gross Alpha Particle Activity
8.5636 / 15 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 15 pCi/L
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
1.991 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L
Chloramine
1.4964 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Radium-226
1.6864 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
Lead
3.3622 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
Nitrite
0.1475 / 1 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 1 mg/L
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
0.5892 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L

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Water Systems Serving Bakersfield (1)

Related

Compare Bakersfield water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality