Sacramento County, California: drinking water report. Sacramento County's 1.6 million residents get water from two primary sources: the Sacramento and…
Sacramento County's 1.6 million residents get water from two primary sources: the Sacramento and American Rivers for surface water, and local groundwater basins. The City of Sacramento draws from the American River and the Sacramento River, while suburban providers like the Sacramento Suburban Water District rely more on groundwater. The Sacramento Valley's position at the confluence of major rivers means the county's surface water is abundant but carries agricultural runoff from the Central Valley.
Sacramento County's surface water sources are generally clean relative to many California metros, but the agricultural context matters. The Sacramento River picks up pesticides, nitrates, and sediment as it flows through one of the most productive farming regions in the world. Treatment plants handle most of these, but disinfection byproducts from treating organic-rich river water are a seasonal concern.
On PFAS, the former McClellan Air Force Base in North Highlands is the county's primary contamination source. McClellan is a Superfund site with documented PFAS groundwater contamination from decades of AFFF use. According to the California State Water Resources Control Board, communities near the base have recorded some of the highest PFAS readings in the Sacramento region. UCMR5 data shows detections across 12 public water systems countywide.
If you are near the former McClellan AFB, PFAS should be a specific concern. Elsewhere in the county, water quality varies by whether you receive surface water or groundwater.
Check your water to see data for your specific area. Reverse osmosis handles PFAS effectively, while activated carbon addresses disinfection byproducts. Our water filter guide explains the differences. Pull your detailed report for trend data, and visit our California page for statewide context.