MCFARLAND, California Tap Water Quality

14,161 people served · 1 water system

Poor

MCFARLAND, California is a small city with 14,161 residents served by a single public water system. Water service covers ZIP code 93250.

MCFARLAND has a notable pattern of EPA health-based violations across multiple compliance periods. Filtered water is a reasonable precaution while the utility implements long-term corrective action.

EPA reporting identifies Nitrate among the regulated contaminants associated with MCFARLAND's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

93250

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving MCFARLAND. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

11 MG/L

First Reported

Aug 2023

Most Recent

Oct 2025

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

→Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
→Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
→Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
→Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.

Read the complete guide to Nitrate

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving MCFARLAND

MCFARLAND, CITY OF

PWSID: CA1510013

14,161 served

6 violations

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MCFARLAND, California tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had significant EPA violations in the last 5 years.

How many EPA violations does MCFARLAND have?▼

MCFARLAND has 6 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 1 water system serving 14,161 people.

What contaminants have been found in MCFARLAND water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 1040. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in MCFARLAND?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in MCFARLAND?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.