01The verdict: is Bear River - Tish Non Village water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Bear River - Tish Non Village's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A- (85.2/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 650 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Bear River - Tish Non Village's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓5 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Bear River - Tish Non Village's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 650 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 9.3 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 33 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Bear River - Tish Non Village ranks #264 out of 690 cities in California for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Bear River - Tish Non Village relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Bear River - Tish Non Village may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Bear River - Tish Non Village's water
Every contaminant flagged in Bear River - Tish Non Village, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 9.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in California
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in California
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Bear River - Tish Non Village's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 33 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
5 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 8.2 ppb since 2013. Latest reading: 9.3 ppb (2025) — 62% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Bear River - Tish Non Village's water comes from
Bear River - Tish Non Village's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under native american ownership.
650 people
Residents served across Bear River - Tish Non Village's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by native american ownership and serves approximately 650 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear River - Tish Non Village | 090605119 | 650 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Bear River - Tish Non Village
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Bear River - Tish Non Village's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Humboldt County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Bear River - Tish Non Village compares
Scores for nearby California cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = California average (57/100)
Bear River - Tish Non Village scores 85.2/100 — above the California average of 57/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full California rankings →
42.8 / 100FSan Jose, CA
28 / 100BOakland, CA
77.9 / 100FSan Diego, CA
39.7 / 100FSacramento, CA
31.2 / 100ABurlingame, CA
89.2 / 100
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Bear River - Tish Non Village's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 9.3 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Bear River - Tish Non Village alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Bear River - Tish Non Village, CA tap water safe to drink?
Bear River - Tish Non Village's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #264 out of 690 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Bear River - Tish Non Village's water?
Lead was measured at 9.3 ppb (90th percentile). 33 violations are on record.
How is Bear River - Tish Non Village's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Bear River - Tish Non Village?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bear River - Tish Non Village's water come from?
Bear River - Tish Non Village's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 650 residents.
Is Bear River - Tish Non Village's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Bear River - Tish Non Village uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 33 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Bear River - Tish Non Village's water compare to other cities?
Bear River - Tish Non Village ranks #264 out of 690 cities in California (better than 62% of state cities) and #5443 out of 15382 cities nationally (65th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Bear River - Tish Non Village's small water system affect quality?
Bear River - Tish Non Village's system serves approximately 650 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 33 violations on record.