San Diego – California – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
San Diego’s Public Utilities Department provides comprehensive water and wastewater services to more than 1.4 million residents across America’s Finest City, operating nine reservoirs, three water treatment plants, three wastewater treatment plants, 131 pump stations, and over 6,300 miles of pipelines. As a semi-arid region that historically imports 85% of its water from the Colorado River and Northern California Bay Delta, San Diego has invested over $3 billion in water supply diversification to achieve greater independence and reliability.
San Diego’s revolutionary approach includes the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad, producing 50 million gallons daily, and the ambitious Pure Water San Diego program, which will provide nearly half the city’s water supply through advanced wastewater recycling by 2035. The city’s multi-barrier water treatment processes ensure all drinking water meets or exceeds federal and state quality standards, while ongoing investments in infrastructure modernization, conservation programs, and emerging contaminant monitoring demonstrate San Diego’s commitment to sustainable water management for future generations.
San Diego Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead and Copper Compliance: San Diego Water maintains full compliance with EPA regulations for lead and copper in drinking water. The city proactively outlawed lead pipes in 1927, 59 years before the federal ban, and comprehensive surveys show no lead service lines in the city-owned system.
- Service Line Inventory: In compliance with EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, San Diego completed customer-owned service line inspections using advanced predictive modeling and artificial intelligence, with all inspected lines verified as non-lead.
- Regulatory Compliance: San Diego’s water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards, with comprehensive monitoring and transparent reporting through annual Consumer Confidence Reports and regular quality testing throughout the distribution system.
Diversified Water Sources
- Imported Water Supplies: Traditional sources from the Colorado River (via San Diego County Water Authority) and California State Water Project, comprising approximately 85% of the region’s supply, though this percentage is decreasing with local source development.
- Carlsbad Desalination: The nation’s largest seawater desalination plant produces over 50 million gallons daily (enough for 400,000 people), providing drought-proof, locally controlled water that represents about 10% of regional demand.
- Pure Water San Diego: Advanced water recycling program with Phase 1 producing 30 million gallons daily by 2026, ultimately expanding to provide nearly half of San Diego’s water supply by 2035 through cutting-edge wastewater purification technology.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Multi-Barrier Approach: San Diego utilizes comprehensive treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection at three major water treatment plants, ensuring multiple barriers against contamination.
- Desalination Technology: The Carlsbad plant employs state-of-the-art reverse osmosis technology with over 16,000 membrane elements, producing high-quality water that meets all drinking water standards while incorporating energy-efficient design and marine life protection measures.
- Pure Water Innovation: Advanced water purification using microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection with advanced oxidation to transform wastewater into ultra-pure drinking water that exceeds all regulatory requirements.
Infrastructure Investment and Modernization
- Pure Water Construction: Phase 1 of Pure Water San Diego is underway across multiple communities (Morena, Bay Park, University City, Miramar, and Scripps Ranch) with completion scheduled for 2026-2027, representing the largest infrastructure investment in city history.
- Distribution System Upgrades: Ongoing replacement and modernization of aging water mains and infrastructure throughout the 6,300-mile pipeline network, prioritizing areas with highest maintenance needs and reliability concerns.
- Smart Technology Integration: Implementation of advanced monitoring systems, real-time water quality sensors, and smart management technologies to optimize operations, detect issues early, and improve overall system efficiency.
Financial Sustainability and Customer Support
San Diego Public Utilities is entirely funded by ratepayer revenue without General Fund support, ensuring dedicated funding for water system operations and improvements. Recent rate adjustments (8.7% effective January 2025) reflect rising costs of imported water, infrastructure modernization, and Pure Water investments. The city provides extensive customer assistance including the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program for past-due bills and comprehensive water conservation rebates through partnerships with Metropolitan Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Educational outreach programs help residents understand water quality, conservation practices, and the importance of local water supply development in ensuring San Diego’s sustainable water future.
Recommendations for San Diego Residents
Test Your Water
Contact San Diego’s Water Quality Hotline at 619-668-3232 or email DrinkingWaterQuality@sandiego.gov for assistance with private lab testing. While San Diego has no known lead service lines, homes built before 1986 may benefit from testing internal plumbing.
Maximize Rebates
Take advantage of SoCal Water$mart rebates including $2-6 per square foot for turf replacement, $85+ for high-efficiency washers, and $40+ for premium toilets. Visit socalwatersmart.com or call 888-376-3314 to apply for immediate savings.
Consider Home Filtration
While San Diego’s water meets all standards, residents concerned about taste, odor, or trace contaminants may benefit from NSF-certified filters. Point-of-use systems can provide additional peace of mind for drinking and cooking water.
Get a Free Water Audit
Schedule a free residential water use survey through Metropolitan Water District to identify indoor and outdoor savings opportunities. Professional technicians will evaluate your irrigation system and provide personalized recommendations and rebate information.
Report Issues
Contact San Diego Public Utilities at 619-515-3525 (available 24/7) for water leaks, sewer spills, or pressure problems. For water quality concerns, call the Water Quality Hotline at 619-668-3232 or email DrinkingWaterQuality@sandiego.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, San Diego’s tap water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. The city’s multi-source supply includes imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California, desalinated seawater from the Carlsbad plant, and increasingly, recycled water from the Pure Water program.
San Diego’s Public Utilities Department conducts extensive regular monitoring and testing throughout the distribution system. The water receives comprehensive treatment using proven multi-barrier approaches including filtration, disinfection, and advanced technologies. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports provide transparent information about water quality test results and compliance with all regulatory standards.
Why are San Diego water rates increasing?
Water rate increases reflect several factors essential for maintaining reliable service:
1. Rising imported water costs: San Diego purchases 85% of its water from wholesale providers whose rates have increased significantly due to infrastructure needs and drought management
2. Pure Water investment: The city’s $1+ billion Pure Water program requires substantial upfront investment to create local water independence and reduce long-term imported water dependence
3. Infrastructure modernization: Aging pipelines, treatment facilities, and distribution systems require ongoing replacement and upgrades to ensure reliable service
While challenging for customers, these investments position San Diego for water security and cost stability in the long term. Financial assistance programs are available for qualifying low-income customers.
Does San Diego have lead in its water system?
San Diego has an excellent lead management record and maintains full compliance with all lead regulations:
• Proactive leadership: San Diego outlawed lead pipes in 1927, 59 years before the federal government banned lead pipes in 1986
• Service line inventory: Comprehensive surveys from 2010-2020 confirmed no lead service lines in the city-owned portion of the water system
• Customer service lines: Ongoing inspections using artificial intelligence and predictive modeling have verified all tested customer-owned service lines as non-lead
• Water chemistry management: San Diego carefully manages water chemistry to prevent corrosion of any lead components in older home plumbing
While the public water system is lead-free, homes built before 1986 may have internal lead plumbing components. Residents with concerns can contact the Water Quality Hotline for testing guidance.
What is Pure Water San Diego?
Pure Water San Diego is the city’s revolutionary water recycling program that transforms wastewater into ultra-pure drinking water:
Phase 1 (2026-2027 completion):
• Produces 30 million gallons daily of purified recycled water
• Uses advanced microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection
• Water quality exceeds all regulatory requirements
Ultimate Goal (by 2035):
• Provide nearly half of San Diego’s water supply locally
• Reduce dependence on expensive imported water
• Create drought-proof, locally controlled water supply
This innovative program represents one of the largest municipal water recycling investments in the nation, positioning San Diego as a leader in sustainable water management.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that can enter imported water sources; detected at low levels in some Metropolitan Water District supplies
Health Effects: Research suggests potential concerns including impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and possible links to certain cancers
Current Status: San Diego monitors for PFAS in compliance with EPA and California requirements. Carlsbad desalination plant’s reverse osmosis technology effectively removes PFAS. EPA Limits: New federal maximum contaminant levels finalized in 2024
Trace Minerals and Metals
Source: Naturally occurring minerals and metals including lithium, manganese, strontium, and vanadium that can be present in source waters, particularly imported supplies from diverse geographical regions
Health Effects: Most trace minerals are naturally occurring and pose minimal health risks at detected levels. Manganese at excessive levels may impact children’s cognitive development; other minerals have established safety guidelines
Current Levels: Regular monitoring shows levels within acceptable ranges and regulatory compliance. Treatment processes and source diversification help minimize concentration of any single contaminant Monitoring: Comprehensive testing program tracks all regulated and emerging contaminants
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