Water Quality: Los Angeles, CA
16 water systems • 4,029,090 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Los Angeles is served by 16 public water systems with a combined service population of 4,029,090 people, and has 130 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 87 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Los Angeles's violation count is 171% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Bromate, Chlorine Dioxide, Fecal Coliform, 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
Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.
Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
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
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
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 Los Angeles
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES-CITY, DEPT. OF WATER & POWER | CA1910067 | Surface Water | 3,875,566 | 16 |
| SANTA MONICA-CITY, WATER DIVISION | CA1910146 | Surface Water | 89,947 | 0 |
| MONTEREY PARK-CITY, WATER DEPT. | CA1910092 | Groundwater | 62,183 | 2 |
| GLENWOOD MOBILE ESTATES | CA1400030 | Groundwater | 468 | 3 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW TRAILER COURT | CA1400099 | Groundwater | 320 | 7 |
| STONEGATE MOBILE HOME PARK | CA4900795 | Groundwater | 196 | 1 |
| FIRE SUPPRESSION CAMP #19 | CA1900901 | Surface Water | 125 | 2 |
| CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CAMP #14 | CA1900007 | Surface Water | 107 | 3 |
| KERN MOBILE ESTATES LLC | CA1500571 | Groundwater | 73 | 90 |
| LOS ANGELES, CITY OF - POWER PLANT #2 | CA1900542 | Surface Water | 44 | 1 |
| CONTROL GORGE POWER PLANT LADWP | CA1400155 | Surface Water | 32 | 3 |
| LOS ANGELES, CITY OF - POWER PLANT #1 | CA1900555 | Surface Water | 29 | 1 |
| LADWP - INDEPENDENCE | CA1410002 | Groundwater | 0 | 0 |
| LADWP - LONE PINE | CA1410003 | Groundwater | 0 | 0 |
| LADWP - BIG PINE | CA1410004 | Groundwater | 0 | 1 |
| LADWP - MANZANAR | CA1410510 | Groundwater | 0 | 0 |
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.