Is Fresno tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Fresno's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns including PFAS detected. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

62/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
5.1 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Fresno

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Fresno

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Fresno

Arsenic Approaching Limit (1.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Fresno
California

937,019,370,293,703 · Kings River and groundwater

Fresno, CA Water Quality Report

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 542,107 residents
See Best Filters for Fresno
62
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
5.2 ppt
Lead
2.5 ppb
Nitrate
2.8 mg/L
Arsenic
1.2 mg/L
Hardness
5.1 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    PFAS have been identified in Fresno's water at 5.2 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Fresno's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

62 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Fresno tap water is sourced from Kings River and groundwater and treated by City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Overall purity score: 62/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Fresno's 3 issues.

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PFAS in FresnoForever chemicals
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Fresno Water FAQ

Is Fresno CA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Fresno tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 62/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 5.2 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Fresno CA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Fresno uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.2 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.
How hard is Fresno CA water and what is the TDS level?
Fresno water hardness is 5.1 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 220 ppm (fair). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Fresno CA drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Fresno water at approximately 5.2 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.
What is the best water filter for Fresno?
Based on Fresno's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Fresno: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

BakersfieldCalifornia — 55/100RiversideCalifornia — 58/100San BernardinoCalifornia — 58/100Moreno ValleyCalifornia — 58/100FontanaCalifornia — 58/100Chula VistaCalifornia — 61/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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