States › California › Butte County

Butte County, CA Water Quality

Water quality data for 18 public water systems serving Butte County, California — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 18 water systems · 23 cities
✅
Generally Safe — Most Systems Performing Well

The majority of water systems have no active violations and lead levels well below the federal action level.

B

Butte County Earns a B

Butte County: 23 communities across 18 water systems. 82.6% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 2.72 ppb
  • 14 communities with a lead detection, 9 reporting none detected
  • 2 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 0 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 82.6% of communities have no open violations
2.72 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
18
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
82%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Forbestown
    2.43 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Robinson Mill
    2.43 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Rackerby
    2.43 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Oroville
    0.90 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Paradise
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Gridley
    Not detected
    PFAS above the limit at 1 of 5 sampling points
    F
  • Biggs
    6.91 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Butte Valley
    1.97 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Forest Ranch
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Chico
    Not detected
    PFAS above the limit at 6 of 37 sampling points
    C
County Lead Level — Median 2.72 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 2.72 ppb — 18.1% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
8
5 – 10 ppb
6
No Data
9

All Cities in Butte County

Chico Not detected C
Oroville 0.90 ppb A
Oroville East 5.20 ppb A
Gridley Not detected F
Thermalito Not detected A
Paradise Not detected A
Kelly Ridge 5.20 ppb A
Palermo 5.20 ppb A
Magalia 0.67 ppb B
South Oroville 5.20 ppb A
Biggs 6.91 ppb D
Durham 0.74 ppb B
Butte Valley 1.97 ppb C
Stirling City 7.25 ppb B
Butte Creek Canyon Not detected B
Berry Creek Not detected B
Forest Ranch Not detected C
Cohasset Not detected B
Clipper Mills 3.00 ppb B
Bangor Not detected B
Robinson Mill 2.43 ppb B
Rackerby 2.43 ppb B
Forbestown 2.43 ppb B
Showing 23 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Butte County Drinking Water

Butte County is served by 18 water systems covering 23 communities. 83% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 14 recorded a detection, with a median of 2.72 ppb — 18% of the federal action level. 9 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

2 of 23 communities have PFAS above the limits EPA set in 2024, measured as a running annual average at each sampling point. State inspectors recorded no significant deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Butte County tap water safe to drink?▼
83% of communities have no open violation. 2 of 23 have PFAS above the federal limit, which is the main open concern.
What is the lead level in Butte County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 2.72 ppb, 18% of the 15 ppb action level. 9 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Butte County?▼
18 community water systems serve 23 communities here.
← Back to California water quality overview