Ceres, CA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Ceres, CA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Ceres's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Ceres, City Of PWSID: CA5010028 Updated: 2026 Q2

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PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 8 sampling points

Lead was not detected. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 8 sampling points, running as high as 4.63 times the limit.

Ceres earns an F for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: not detected

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 8 sampling points

3 violations since 2015, 2 health-based

1 violation currently open

Ceres's lead level vs. all California community water systems

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: Not detected — 0% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than % of California utilities

Population Served

39646

~11881 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Active Violations

1 open of 3 since 2015

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

0% of EPA action level

Not detected

Action level: 15 ppb

Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile — the result fell below the laboratory detection limit. That is not the same as an absence of lead in every tap, and older homes with lead service lines can still show higher readings.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

Contaminant	Type	Measured	Limit	Period	Status
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS	TREATMENT TECHNIQUE	—	—	2024	Unaddressed
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS	REPORTING FAILURE	—	—	2024	Unaddressed
Combined Uranium	MCL EXCEEDANCE	30 PCI/L	30 ug/L	2015	Resolved

Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

1 violation remains open, out of 3 recorded since 2015 (2 health-based).

About the Main Water System

Utility Ceres, City Of

PWSID CA5010028

Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

Population served 39,646

Service connections 11,881

Systems serving this area 3

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ceres tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 8 sampling points. 1 violation(s) remain open.

Does Ceres water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 8 sampling points, running as high as 4.63 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Ceres? ▼

Ceres, City Of (PWSID CA5010028), one of 3 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2025-10-16. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Ceres Residents Do?

Consider a reverse-osmosis filter

Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.

Check for a lead service line

Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.

Follow the open violation

This system has an unresolved violation. Contact the supplier for its corrective-action schedule.

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