Water Quality: San Bernardino, CA
12 water systems • 377,910 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
San Bernardino is served by 12 public water systems with a combined service population of 377,910 people, and has 544 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 470 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. San Bernardino's violation count is 1033% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Contaminant 4109, Disinfection Byproducts, Gross Alpha, Haloacetic Acids.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Linked to increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Causes neurological damage, developmental delays in children, and kidney damage in adults even at low exposure levels.
Common source: Old plumbing pipes, lead solder, brass fixtures
EPA limit: Action Level: 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)
Water Systems Serving San Bernardino
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN BERNARDINO CITY | CA3610039 | Groundwater | 214,665 | 0 |
| SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY WD | CA3610019 | Groundwater | 109,608 | 0 |
| SBDNO COUNTY SERVICE AREA 64 | CA3610121 | Groundwater | 14,911 | 5 |
| MUSCOY MWC NO. 1 | CA3610031 | Groundwater | 13,000 | 26 |
| SBDNO COUNTY SERVICE AREA 70J | CA3610125 | Groundwater | 12,843 | 1 |
| GLEN HELEN WATER SYSTEM | CA3600108 | Groundwater | 5,900 | 0 |
| GILBERT STREET COMPLEX | CA3600215 | Groundwater | 3,833 | 2 |
| SBDNO COUNTY SERVICE AREA 70 CEDAR GLEN | CA3610026 | Surface Water | 1,240 | 44 |
| CSA 70 W-3 HACIENDA | CA3600114 | Groundwater | 611 | 86 |
| CSA 42 ORO GRANDE | CA3600220 | Groundwater | 529 | 0 |
| CSA 70 W-4 PIONEERTOWN | CA3600196 | Groundwater | 470 | 296 |
| CSA 70-F MORONGO | CA3600226 | Groundwater | 300 | 84 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in California
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.