Water Quality: El Monte, CA
8 water systems • 289,546 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
El Monte is served by 8 public water systems with a combined service population of 289,546 people, and has 102 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 63 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. El Monte's violation count is 112% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Chlorine Dioxide, Nitrate, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Causes methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Common source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, animal feedlots, natural deposits
EPA limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving El Monte
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE | CA1910039 | Groundwater | 248,000 | 12 |
| EL MONTE-CITY, WATER DEPT. | CA1910038 | Groundwater | 22,968 | 0 |
| SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO-MONTEBELLO 1 | CA1910189 | Groundwater | 9,630 | 0 |
| SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO-MONTEBELLO 2 | CA1910117 | Surface Water | 7,330 | 15 |
| DEL RIO MUTUAL | CA1900130 | Groundwater | 700 | 4 |
| HEMLOCK MUTUAL WATER CO. | CA1910053 | Groundwater | 686 | 9 |
| STERLING MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA1910158 | Groundwater | 198 | 11 |
| SUNNY ROAD WATER SYSTEM | CA3901213 | Groundwater | 34 | 51 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in California
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.