Fairfield releases water quality report
Fairfield residents can continue to drink from the tap with confidence, according to the city's newly released 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, which found that local drinking water met or exceeded all state and federal health standards throughout the year.
The annual report, released by Fairfield Municipal Utilities, details water quality testing results from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, and found no violations or exceedances of drinking water regulations. Public water systems are required to publish water quality reports each year to inform customers about the safety of their drinking water. Fairfield's report was released ahead of the June 30 deadline. Vacaville has not yet published its 2025 report but is expected to do so by the end of the month.
Fairfield officials said their testing demonstrates a continued ability to provide safe, reliable drinking water to its customers.
"The city of Fairfield is pleased to share the 2025 Consumer Confidence Report," the report states. "We remain committed to providing high-quality drinking water that consistently meets or exceeds State and Federal health standards."
Fairfield's drinking water originates from two major sources: Lake Berryessa and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Water is transported through the Putah South Canal and North Bay Aqueduct before being treated at the Waterman Water Treatment Plant and the North Bay Regional Water Treatment Plant, which is jointly owned by Fairfield and Vacaville.
Among the report's findings, fluoride levels averaged 0.70 parts per million, well within state-required standards designed to help prevent tooth decay. Aluminum levels averaged 0.04 parts per million, far below regulatory limits.
The report also showed no detectable levels of the 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or "forever chemicals," that were tested under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. Lithium also was not detected in any samples.
PFAS have become a growing concern nationwide because the chemicals can persist in the environment and have been linked to health issues after long-term exposure. Fairfield's results showed non-detectable levels in all samples collected during the monitoring period.
Routine monitoring also found that levels of disinfection byproducts, including trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, remained well below federal limits. Average chlorine residual levels likewise remained within regulatory requirements.
Testing of the city's distribution system found no presence of E. coli bacteria, which can indicate contamination from human or animal waste.
Lead and copper testing conducted at customer taps in 2023 also remained below action levels established by regulators, with no sites exceeding allowable limits. The city said its next round of required lead and copper testing will begin in summer 2026.
The report notes that Fairfield recently completed an inventory of service line materials as required by the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule improvements. The inventory was designed to identify the materials used in both city-owned and customer-owned portions of water service lines.
Looking ahead, Fairfield has also been selected to participate in California's first phase of statewide microplastics monitoring in drinking water. State officials are studying the occurrence of microplastics and their potential impacts on human health, although researchers say additional study is needed to better understand the risks.
Source water assessments identified several potential contamination risks in the watersheds supplying Fairfield, including agricultural runoff, herbicide use, recreational activity, illegal dumping and urban stormwater runoff. The city said watershed management practices are used to reduce those risks and protect water quality before treatment.
All cities publish water quality reports annually. Vacaville has not yet published its 2025 report but is expected to do so by June 30.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.