Is Caruthers, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B-, with 7 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
71.8/100
waterverge.com Caruthers, CA — Water Quality Report
Caruthers's drinking water received a grade of B- (71.8 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,718 residents using groundwater.
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 102 violations on record, including 63 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
What to know about Caruthers's water
Caruthers ranks #494 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Caruthers 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.
As a small community water system, Caruthers may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Caruthers, CA water safe to drink?
Caruthers's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (71.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,718 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Caruthers
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Caruthers's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (71.8/100).
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.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Caruthers's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Caruthers's water system has 102 total violations on record, including 63 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Fresno 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 Caruthers's water come from?
Caruthers's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,718 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Caruthers residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Caruthers's water.
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.
Caruthers'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
Flood & disaster history
Fresno 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 Caruthers compares by contaminant
Explore where Caruthers ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Caruthers's water comes from
Caruthers's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,718 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Caruthers
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARUTHERS COMM SERV DIST | CA1010039 | 2,613 | GW |
| RAU DAIRY | CA1009120 | 105 | GW |
How Caruthers compares
Full California rankings →Caruthers's score of 71.8/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View California rankings →About Caruthers, CA
Wikipedia →The U.S. state of California experiences several tornadoes every year, with at least 488 twisters recorded since 1891. Among these are four fire whirls, a type of tornado that develops from a wildfire. California's strongest rated tornadoes on the Fujita scale were rated an F/EF3, which occurred three times – two F3 tornadoes in the Greater Los Angeles area in the 1970s, as well as an EF3-equivalent fire whirl near Redding in Shasta County that developed within the 2018 Carr Fire. The fire whirl was one of three deadly tornadic events on record in the state, killing four people. A tornado in 1891 killed a man in San Francisco. The other deadly event was a tornado that hit Santa Monica in 1952, which killed three people. There have been at least 100 injuries related to tornadoes in the state.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Caruthers's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Fresno
Frequently asked questions
Is Caruthers, CA tap water safe to drink?
Caruthers's water quality earned a grade of B- (71.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #494 out of 694 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Caruthers's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 102 violations are on record.
How is Caruthers'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 Caruthers?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Caruthers's water come from?
Caruthers's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,718 residents.
What health violations has Caruthers's water system had?
Caruthers has 63 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
Is Caruthers's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Caruthers 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 102 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 Caruthers's water compare to other cities?
Caruthers ranks #494 out of 694 cities in California (better than 29% of state cities) and #10484 out of 15744 cities nationally (33th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.