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Awesome Tap Water? Certified. SF’s Drinking Water Again Meets or Exceeds All Quality Standards

Crystal Springs Reservoir

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 3, 2025

Awesome Tap Water? Certified. SF’s Drinking Water Again Meets or Exceeds All Quality Standards 

Zero PFAS detected, nearly 100,000 tests conducted, and continued commitment to public health and environmental protection

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) released its 29th Annual Water Quality Report, confirming once again that the City’s drinking water met or exceeded all federal and state water quality standards in 2024. With nearly 100,000 water quality tests performed throughout the year and no detection of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the report validates that San Francisco’s high-quality drinking water is safe, clean, and reliable.

“Our administration is committed to keeping our communities safe and healthy, and that includes providing safe and healthy drinking water to all San Franciscans,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. “I’m grateful to the SFPUC for their continued commitment to public health and for delivering this essential service every day.”

“For almost a century, San Francisco has delivered some of the best-tasting and safest drinking water in the nation,” said SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera. “This report confirms what longtime San Franciscans already know: our tap water is top shelf. Now in its 29th year, our annual report provides the technical data and safety standards that support the quality of the water delivered directly to taps across San Francisco. It also shows how the SFPUC goes above and beyond to ensure the excellence of our drinking water, from advanced testing to environmental stewardship to transparency.”

2024 Water Quality Report

Last month, all San Francisco residents began receiving postcards with a link to the 2024 Water Quality Report, now available online. Postcards included information in 10 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Russian, Arabic, French, and other languages on how to request a translated copy of the report.

In 2024, the SFPUC also received two national honors from the American Water Works Association’s Partnership for Safe Water, which recognizes water agencies that consistently achieve water quality standards even more rigorous than those required by law. The SFPUC’s Harry Tracy Water Plant in San Bruno and its Sunol Valley Water Treatment were celebrated for maintaining this high level of performance for 20 and 25 consecutive years, respectively.

Key Findings from the 2024 Report:

  • No PFAS Detected: Testing showed no presence of PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to adverse health effects.
  • Extensive Water Quality Testing: The SFPUC conducted nearly 100,000 tests for various contaminants to ensure San Francisco’s drinking water met all regulatory standards. Diversified, Protected Water Sources: Healthy watersheds produce high-quality water. By carefully managing and protecting the watershed lands where our water comes from, we help maintain the highest water quality possible. Our watersheds also provide a haven for rare and endangered species.
  • Meets or Surpasses All Regulatory Standards: The system remains fully compliant with all state and federal health regulations, including those for microbial, inorganic, and organic substances.
  • Ratepayer Dollars at Work: Construction of a major upgrade to the SFPUC’s Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant began in 2024. The project will add a new treatment method called ozonation. Ozone destroys organic material that can affect the taste and smell of drinking water. This upgrade will bring the East Bay Plant in line with the SFPUC’s Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant on the Peninsula, which already uses ozone.

The SFPUC’s water quality team monitors the system 24/7/365, employing advanced technologies and rigorous protocols to safeguard public health. The agency also manages more than 60,000 acres of watershed lands to protect water sources and preserve habitats for endangered species.

Read the full 2024 Water Quality Report at sfpuc.gov/WaterQualitySF.

About the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It delivers drinking water to 2.7 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area, collects and treats wastewater for the City and County of San Francisco, and meets 75% of the electricity demand in San Francisco. The SFPUC’s mission is to provide customers with high quality, efficient and reliable water, power, and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests, and sustains the resources entrusted to the agency's care. Learn more at sfpuc.gov.