San Bernardino has just made headlines for all the wrong reasons. It’s been named 2025’s Dirtiest City in America, beating runners up Los Angeles, Detroit, and Reading by a considerable margin. That’s bad news for the environment, but as a resident, it also spells trouble for your property. Between hard water, contaminants, and old infrastructure, your plumbing is under immense pressure. Here’s how to protect your system and avoid surprise repairs, so your family can enjoy safe, clean running water at home.
What the Ranking of “Dirtiest City” Means for Your Pipes
LawnStarter’s 2025 report ranked San Bernardino as the dirtiest city in America, and not for the first time. This is the second year in a row that San Berdoo has won the title. To decide their placement on the list, cities are evaluated based on various factors, one of which is water quality violations.
San Bernardino has some of the hardest water in California. That means more scale, more corrosion, and more stress. It can make your pipes vulnerable to damage, especially if you haven’t had them looked at recently. If you’re unsure what shape your system is in, you should find a plumber in San Bernardino to carry out a proper inspection.
Hard Water and Mineral Buildup
San Bernardino’s water is classified as very hard, with some sources showing average hardness levels as high as 251.6 PPM (parts per million). That means your tap water has high levels of calcium and magnesium.
Over time, this causes limescale buildup, clogged pipes, and reduced water pressure. It also makes your appliances less efficient and shortens their lifespan. The solution is to install a whole-home water softener and regularly flush your heater to prevent mineral sediment from accumulating at the bottom of the tank.
Water Quality Violations
Water quality violations should not be ignored. They can include dangerous levels of disinfection byproducts (DPBs) like chlorine and chloramines, lead or copper leaching from old pipes, and elevated nitrate levels. Heavy metals like mercury or arsenic can also show up in your drinking water supply.
You should also be aware of potentially harmful substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and radionuclides. They can damage pipework and stain fixtures, but more importantly, they compromise your safety. To protect your family’s health, consider installing a point-of-entry water filtration system to remove these contaminants before they reach your taps.
Environmental Debris
San Bernardino County is extremely prone to wildfires. Even if the flames don’t reach your home, ash and soot often do. That debris can settle in your roof gutters, yard drains, and stormwater systems. If you don’t clean it out, it can clog downspouts and French drains.
This can lead to standing water near your property’s foundations, and it can also encourage mosquito breeding zones. To avoid these issues, clear out all your gutters and drainage areas after every major fire or dust storm. You can also install gutter guards to reduce future buildup and improve water flow.
Aging Infrastructure
Some homes in San Bernardino date back to the 1950s and, in some cases, even earlier. If your home is older, it may still rely on galvanized steel or cast iron plumbing. Both of these materials are at an increased risk of corrosion and failure as they age.
When you add in seismic activity and shifting soils, you have a recipe for foundational leaks, rusty water, and burst pipes. If you haven’t already, it may be time to switch to PEX of copper. A professional inspection can tell you whether you need a full repipe or whether your home looks safe for now.
Sewer Blockages and Overflows
Thanks to an increase in urban development projects and aging sewer lines, sewage backups are becoming more frequent across San Bernardino. You may be particularly familiar with this problem if you live in a neighborhood like Del Rosa, Highland, or Seccombe Lane where overflows are more common.
The culprit is sometimes tree roots that intrude upon cracked sewer lines and cause leaks. However, much of it is human-caused. Grease, wet wipes, and debris flushed down drained can cause blockages. Systems can also become overloaded during heavy rainfall or flash floods. While you can’t control the weather, you can control what goes down your toilet. Avoid flushing anything other than paper. You may also want to install a backflow prevention value if your home is in a flood-prone area.
Endnote
Living in San Bernardino means you need to pay extra attention to your home’s plumbing. Neglecting it could have serious health consequences and lead to costly emergency repairs. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to stay on top of your plumbing duties. A few simple habits and regular checks can keep everything in working order. Even in America’s “dirtiest city”, your home can still be a safe haven for you and your family.