01The verdict: is Hume water safe?
Hume's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (80.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,519 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓2K people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 15.0 ppb — 100% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Hume's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,519 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 15.0 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 4 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
Hume ranks #366 out of 690 cities in California for water quality, placing it below average 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. 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, Hume may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Hume's water
Every contaminant flagged in Hume, 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.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.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. | 15.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
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
03Hume'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 4 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Hume.
▲ Up 2 ppb since 1995. The latest reading (15 ppb, 2023) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Hume's water comes from
Hume's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under private ownership.
1,519 people
Residents served across Hume's service area.
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 1,519 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUME LAKE CHRISTIAN CAMPS, INC | CA1010013 | 1,519 | Surface Water |
05Pressure on Hume'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
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Fresno County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Hume compares
Scores for nearby California cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = California average (57/100)
Hume scores 80.3/100 — 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
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Hume's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 15.0 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 Hume 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 Hume, CA tap water safe to drink?
Hume's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #366 out of 690 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Hume's water?
Lead was measured at 15.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Hume'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 Hume?
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 Hume's water come from?
Hume's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,519 residents.
What health violations has Hume's water system had?
Hume has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 1993. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Hume's water compare to other cities?
Hume ranks #366 out of 690 cities in California (better than 47% of state cities) and #7836 out of 15382 cities nationally (49th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hume's small water system affect quality?
Hume's system serves approximately 1,519 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 4 violations on record.