What’s in Your Water, San Francisco?
San Francisco is known for its culture, food, and innovation — but what about its water? At Garcia Plumbing Company, we’ve launched professional in-home water testing to help homeowners understand exactly what’s coming out of their taps. This blog breaks down the most common contaminants found in SF homes and how they can affect your health, plumbing, and peace of mind.
Why Water Testing Matters
Most people assume their tap water is clean. While San Francisco’s municipal water is generally considered safe, that doesn’t account for what happens to it on the way to your faucet. Aging pipes, copper corrosion, chlorination, and plumbing fixtures can all alter your water quality — and sometimes, the effects are invisible.
Common Water Contaminants in San Francisco
1. Chlorine
Chlorine is used by local municipalities to disinfect water. While effective for killing bacteria, high chlorine levels can lead to dry skin, an unpleasant taste or smell, and even respiratory irritation when showering.
2. Chloramine
Chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia — a more stable disinfectant used by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). However, it’s harder to filter out and may affect kidney patients, fish tanks, and those with sensitive skin.
3. Lead
Lead is one of the most dangerous water contaminants and often enters through old pipes and solder joints. Even low levels can affect children’s brain development and increase risks for adults with heart or kidney issues. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water.
4. Copper
Common in older homes with copper plumbing, elevated copper levels can cause gastrointestinal distress and, over time, damage the liver or kidneys.
5. Hardness (Calcium & Magnesium)
Water hardness refers to the amount of dissolved minerals. While not harmful to health, it causes scale buildup in appliances and pipes, reduces soap effectiveness, and can leave your hair and skin feeling dry.
6. Iron
Iron in water isn’t usually a health threat but can cause rust-colored stains on sinks and tubs, metallic taste, and clogging in appliances like dishwashers or washing machines.
7. pH Imbalance
Water that is too acidic or too alkaline can corrode pipes, leach metals, and create instability in plumbing systems. Ideal drinking water pH is between 6.5 and 8.5.
8. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
TDS measures everything dissolved in your water — minerals, salts, metals, and more. High TDS may mean your water carries excess contaminants or has a flat, unpleasant taste.
How Water Contaminants Affect Your Health
Here’s how some of these contaminants can directly affect your body:
Chlorine & Chloramine: Dry skin, rashes, eye irritation, respiratory discomfort.
Lead: Developmental delays, high blood pressure, kidney problems.
Copper: Stomach cramps, nausea, long-term organ damage.
Hardness: Skin irritation, brittle hair, reduced water heater efficiency.
What You Can Do About It
The first step is knowledge. Garcia Plumbing now offers professional-grade water testing for $300 — but we’re currently offering it free with any plumbing service call. After testing, we’ll walk you through your results and recommend the best filtration solution for your home and budget.
Filtration System Options We Offer
Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis Systems:</strong> Great for drinking water, removes lead, chlorine, TDS, and more.
Whole Home Systems: Filters water throughout your house, reducing chlorine, chloramine, sediment, and heavy metals.
Combo Solutions: Whole home + POU for maximum protection and taste.
Schedule Your Water Test Today
Water quality matters — not just for taste, but for your health and home. Call us today at (415) 333-1737 or visit garciaplumbingcompany.com to book your plumbing service and receive a free water test. We're proud to serve San Francisco and surrounding communities with clean water solutions that work.