01The verdict: is Shasta water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Shasta's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96.4/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,069 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Shasta's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓A clean compliance record
Shasta has no EPA violations on file — a stronger record than most systems its size.
See the record ↓HAA5 is approaching its limit
Measured at 47.7 µg/L — 79% of the 60 µg/L limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Shasta's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,069 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. No violations are on record for this water system.
Shasta ranks #23 out of 690 cities in California for water quality, placing it one of the best 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. Haloacetic acid (HAA5) levels were elevated at 47.7 µg/L in UCMR 4 testing, though below the 60 µg/L EPA limit. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce these disinfection byproducts. As a small community water system, Shasta may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. Shasta has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.
02What's in Shasta's water
Every contaminant flagged in Shasta, 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 MCL — EPA MCL: 60 µg/L
Disinfection byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter in source water, typically peaking in warm months. An activated-carbon filter reduces them at the tap.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. | 1.0 | 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
03Shasta'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. No violations are on record for this water system.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Shasta.
▼ Down 8.0 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0.97 ppb (2024) — 6% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Shasta's water comes from
Shasta'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 local government ownership.
3,069 people
Residents served across Shasta'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 3,069 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHASTA C.S.D. | CA4510013 | 3,069 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Shasta
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Shasta's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Shasta'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.
Industrial discharge
3 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
9 federal disaster declarations on record for Shasta County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Shasta compares
Scores for nearby California cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = California average (57/100)
Shasta scores 96.4/100 — above the California average of 57/100. It outscores 10 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 Shasta's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Shasta's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Shasta 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 Shasta, CA tap water safe to drink?
Shasta's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #23 out of 690 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Shasta's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.
How is Shasta'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 Shasta?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Shasta's water come from?
Shasta's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,069 residents.
How does Shasta's water compare to other cities?
Shasta ranks #23 out of 690 cities in California (better than 97% of state cities) and #186 out of 15382 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Shasta's small water system affect quality?
Shasta's system serves approximately 3,069 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 maintained a clean compliance record.