San Bernardino County, California

Arsenic: 358 of 1441 sampled wells (25%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 224 of 2260 sampled wells (10%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1916-08-17 to 2023-10-15; updated 2026-10-17. Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well.

What wells in this county have measured for arsenic and nitrate. A local picture only: test your own well to know your water.

Arsenic

358 of 1441 sampled wells (25%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well): 2.9 µg/L
90th percentile: 34 µg/L
Highest: Withheld for review: 2 wells' latest result was above 1000 µg/L, far outside the usual range. They are still counted as above the limit.
Non-detects: 123 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 4419, 1951-05-22 to 2023-05-05
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Nitrate

224 of 2260 sampled wells (10%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well): 1.422 mg/L as N
90th percentile: 10 mg/L as N
Highest: Withheld for review: 3 wells' latest result was above 100 mg/L as N, far outside the usual range. They are still counted as above the limit.
Non-detects: 158 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 9142, 1916-08-17 to 2023-10-15
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Includes monitoring, research and private wells reported to the Water Quality Portal. Non-detects count only when the lab's detection limit is at or below the EPA limit. Method: data rules.

What to do next

Test your own well. County numbers cannot tell you what is in your water. See which tests fit your well.
Use a lab certified by California. Certified labs in California.
Compare your results with the EPA limits (arsenic 10 µg/L, nitrate 10 mg/L as N). If a result is above a limit, contact your county or state health department.
If a result is high: arsenic guide · nitrate guide · bacteria guide · salesperson checklist.
Test again every year for bacteria and nitrate. Get a yearly reminder.