Is Bear Valley, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
82.2/100
waterverge.com Bear Valley, CA — Water Quality Report
Bear Valley's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 625 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 25 violations on record, including 22 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Bear Valley's water
Bear Valley ranks #332 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Bear Valley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Bear Valley, CA water safe to drink?
Bear Valley's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (82.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 625 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Bear Valley
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Bear Valley's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (82.2/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3592). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4683). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Bear Valley's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Bear Valley's water system has 25 total violations on record, including 22 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mariposa County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Bear Valley's water come from?
Bear Valley's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 625 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Bear Valley residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Bear Valley's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtAlpine County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Mariposa County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Bear Valley compares by contaminant
Explore where Bear Valley ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Bear Valley's water comes from
Bear Valley's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 625 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Bear Valley
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAKE ALPINE WATER COMPANY | CA0210001 | 625 | SW |
How Bear Valley compares
Full California rankings →Bear Valley's score of 82.2/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View California rankings →About Bear Valley, CA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Bear Valley's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Alpine
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear Valley, CA tap water safe to drink?
Bear Valley's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #332 out of 694 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Bear Valley's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 25 violations are on record.
How is Bear Valley'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 Valley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bear Valley's water come from?
Bear Valley's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 625 residents.
What health violations has Bear Valley's water system had?
Bear Valley has 22 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Bear Valley's water compare to other cities?
Bear Valley ranks #332 out of 694 cities in California (better than 52% of state cities) and #7139 out of 15744 cities nationally (55th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Bear Valley's small water system affect quality?
Bear Valley's system serves approximately 625 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 25 violations on record.