Fontana – California – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Fontana Water Company provides comprehensive water services to approximately 237,000 residents in the City of Fontana and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County. As a private utility regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Fontana Water Company has delivered safe, clean, and reliable water service for over 75 years. The system includes 31 active groundwater production wells, local surface water supplies from Lytle Creek, imported water from the California State Water Project, and a distribution network of over 700 miles of pipelines with 27 storage tanks providing more than 33 million gallons of water storage capacity.
Fontana’s water supply comes from multiple sources including Lytle Creek surface flow, wells in the Lytle Basin, Rialto Basin, Chino Basin, and the “No Man’s Land” groundwater basin. The Sandhill Surface Water Treatment Plant processes surface water from Lytle Creek, blending it with California State Water Project water before treatment and disinfection. As one of the fastest-growing communities in the Inland Empire, Fontana Water Company faces ongoing challenges with infrastructure modernization, water conservation, and emerging contaminants while maintaining compliance with all federal and state water quality standards.
Fontana Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Federal Compliance Status: For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (April 2024 – June 2024), tap water provided by San Gabriel Valley Water Company – Fontana was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
- Consumer Confidence Reports: Fontana Water Company is required to test water quality and publish annual Consumer Confidence Reports by July 1st for the previous calendar year.
- State Oversight: The utility works with the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water to employ best available technology treatments and maintain water quality standards.
Water Sources
- Groundwater Wells: 29 wells in and around the City of Fontana producing groundwater from the Lytle Basin, Rialto Basin, Chino Basin, and No Man’s Land groundwater basins.
- Lytle Creek Surface Water: Surface flow from Lytle Creek begins at the Intake in Lytle Creek Canyon, flowing through gravity-fed pipelines to the Afterbay and then to the Sandhill Surface Water Treatment Plant.
- Imported Water: Water from the California State Water Project purchased from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, with emergency supply available from Cucamonga Valley Water District.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Sandhill Surface Water Treatment Plant: Processes surface water from Lytle Creek, blending it with California State Water Project water before comprehensive treatment and disinfection.
- Multi-Source Treatment: The system treats water from multiple groundwater basins using advanced filtration and disinfection technologies to ensure consistent water quality across the distribution network.
- Quality Assurance: Fontana Water Company faces many water quality challenges due to industrial and commercial activity, requiring ongoing monitoring and treatment technology upgrades.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Distribution Network: The system encompasses over 700 miles of pipelines ranging from 2 inches to 42 inches in diameter, with 27 storage tanks providing 33+ million gallons of storage capacity.
- Rate Modernization: San Gabriel Valley Water Company filed for revenue requirement increases to fund infrastructure improvements, with Test Year 2023-2024 requesting $9.2 million (11.3%) for system upgrades.
- Regional Collaboration: Fontana’s water providers work together through partnerships with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, including participation in the Chino Basin Program for local water supply reliability.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Fontana Water Company provides customer support through various programs, including updated bill payment services launched in July 2023 with secure online, phone, and text payment options. The utility maintains customer service at 909-822-2201 for water quality concerns and service issues. Educational outreach helps residents understand water conservation practices and the importance of protecting water resources in the Inland Empire. Fontana Water Company’s commitment to water quality includes transparent communication through annual water quality reports and proactive monitoring for emerging contaminants as required by state and federal regulations.
Recommendations for Fontana Residents
Test Your Water
Stay informed about your water quality by reading Fontana Water Company’s annual Consumer Confidence Reports available on their website. Contact customer service at 909-822-2201 for any water quality concerns or unusual taste, odor, or color issues.
Conserve Water
With California’s new permanent water conservation regulations taking effect in 2025, consider water-efficient landscaping and appliances. The Inland Empire faces some of the steepest conservation targets, so proactive conservation will help avoid future restrictions.
Consider Home Filtration
While Fontana’s water meets federal standards, homes may benefit from NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking water, especially for reducing disinfection byproducts and potential PFAS contamination that has been detected in some California water systems.
Participate in Rainwater Rewards
Follow updates from the California Public Utilities Commission regarding rate changes and service improvements. Fontana Water Company operates under CPUC regulation, which ensures transparent rate-setting and service quality standards for private water utilities.
Report Issues
Contact Fontana Water Company Customer Service at 909-822-2201 for water main breaks, pressure problems, billing questions, or quality concerns. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, alternating Fridays 7:30am-4pm, located at 15966 Arrow Route, Fontana, CA 92335.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontana’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Fontana’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The water comes from multiple sources including groundwater wells and surface water from Lytle Creek, all of which undergo comprehensive treatment and testing.
Fontana Water Company is required to conduct regular water quality testing and publish annual Consumer Confidence Reports by July 1st each year. The utility works closely with the California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water to ensure compliance with all health-based standards. As a private utility regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, Fontana Water Company operates under strict oversight and must meet rigorous water quality requirements.
How will California’s new water conservation rules affect Fontana?
California’s new permanent water conservation regulations, which took effect January 1, 2025, will impact Fontana residents as part of the Inland Empire region:
1. Conservation targets: The Inland Empire faces some of the steepest water use reduction requirements in California, with cuts potentially averaging 17-30% by 2040
2. Water budgets: Urban water suppliers must develop community-specific water budgets that account for residential, commercial, and landscape use
3. Enforcement: Non-compliance could result in fines up to $10,000 per day for water agencies, with monitoring beginning in 2027 and enforcement starting in 2029
Residents should prepare by investing in water-efficient landscaping, appliances, and conservation practices to help their community meet these new requirements.
What contaminants are found in Fontana’s water?
Based on recent testing data, Fontana’s water system has detections of several contaminants that are monitored and regulated:
• Arsenic: Detected at levels that meet federal standards but may exceed health guidelines recommended by some public health experts
• Fluoride: Present in the water supply, both naturally occurring and potentially added for dental health
• Disinfection Byproducts: Formed when disinfectants react with organic matter in source water
• Aluminum and Manganese: Naturally occurring elements that are monitored for health compliance
All detected contaminants are within federal compliance limits, and Fontana Water Company continues to monitor and treat water to maintain safety standards while working to address emerging contaminants as regulations develop.
Who provides water service in Fontana?
Fontana receives water service from multiple providers depending on location:
Primary Providers:
• Fontana Water Company: The largest provider, serving over 237,000 customers as a private utility regulated by the CPUC
• Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD)
• West Valley Water District (WVWD)
Treatment Services:
• Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA): Provides water treatment and sewer services for much of the city
Use the City of Fontana’s online map at fontanaca.gov/3032/Utilities to identify your specific water service provider based on your address. The city’s collaborative approach ensures reliable water service across different areas while maintaining regional water supply partnerships.
Contaminants of Concern
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when disinfectants such as chlorine react with naturally occurring organic matter in groundwater and surface water sources during treatment processes
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated levels may increase risk of certain cancers and potentially affect liver, kidney, and central nervous system function
Current Levels: Monitored throughout the distribution system with levels maintained below EPA maximum contaminant levels EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5)
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances originating from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that can contaminate groundwater and surface water sources
Health Effects: Research suggests potential impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and possible links to certain cancers and developmental effects
Current Status: New EPA regulations finalized April 2024 establish Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds, with monitoring required by 2027 and compliance by 2029 EPA Limits: 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS; 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and GenX
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