Is San Diego tap water safe to drink?

Yes. The City of San Diego's latest annual water quality report covers calendar year 2025 and was published in June 2026. It says the tap water met all state and federal drinking water health standards. The City also says it has never, in more than 100 years, sold water deemed unsafe by any local, state or federal agency. What people notice is taste and hardness, and both have simple explanations. This covers City of San Diego water customers; other cities and water districts in the county publish their own reports. Not sure which you're in? See San Diego city vs. county.

Where the water comes from

Most of the City's water is imported. It buys raw water from the San Diego County Water Authority, mostly a blend of Colorado River and State Water Project (Northern California) water. It treats that water at three plants: Alvarado, Miramar and Otay. Less than 10% of the imported supply arrives already treated, including some from the Carlsbad desalination plant. The plants disinfect first with ozone (Alvarado and Miramar) or chlorine dioxide (Otay). Chloramine is then added so the water stays clean in the pipes.

Why it tastes or looks odd

• —Pool-like smell: that's the chloramine. The City says it's safe for people and pets at these levels, and a faucet carbon filter improves the taste.
• —Earthy taste: algae in reservoirs can produce geosmin, which isn't a health risk. A carbon filter helps here too.
• —White spots on glasses and faucets: that's the hardness: dissolved minerals such as calcium left behind when water dries.
• —Milky water that clears from the bottom up: tiny air bubbles. If it lasts more than 24 hours, call the hotline.

What's next: Pure Water

The City's Pure Water program will purify recycled water into a new local drinking-water supply. The 2025 report says Phase 1 construction is about 90% complete, and the City expects it to start delivering purified drinking water in early 2027. Questions about your tap? The City's Water Quality Lab is at 619-668-3232 or DrinkingWaterQuality@sandiego.gov.