Drinking water directly from the tap is common for most people. However, there are certain contaminants found in tap water that may cause health hazards. Although not all tap water is bad, knowing what is found in the water can help you safeguard your health. If you live or are staying in Los Angeles, you are probably wondering is LA tap water safe to drink? Let’s have a look at the facts.
Can You Drink Tap Water in LA?
Yes, you can drink tap water. In fact, almost 4 million people are served drinking water from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is also one of the largest water utilities in the United States. However, this does not automatically mean that the water is totally safe.
Although tap water in Los Angeles meets legal standards, it still contains some contaminants. A look into the Tap Water Database provides information about the chemical and radioactive contaminants in the water, which is useful in determining whether it is safe to drink. The database reveals the concentration of various contaminants in the water, compared to federal legal limits and EWG’s health-based standards for protection against harms like the risk of cancer.
Primarily, tap water in LA is sourced from surface water hundreds of miles away. It is then transported to the city through aqueducts like the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the Colorado Aqueduct, and the State Water Project. The water is then disinfected at the utility’s treatment plants before being piped to the city’s tap. Based on the test results obtained from the database, 24 contaminants were found in the L.A. system in 2024, nine of which were at levels above EWG’s health-based limits.
Which Contaminants are in Los Angeles Tap Water
The following are the key contaminants found in Los Angeles tap water:
1. Arsenic
Tap water in Los Angeles contains over 500 times the EWG health-based limit of Arsenic. The contaminant finds its way into taps through natural, industrial, and agricultural sources, such as leaching from rocks into groundwater. Some of the health risks associated with Arsenic include being a known human carcinogen, with its exposure increasing the risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancer.
2. Uranium
LA’s city’s drinking water contains uranium at levels seven times EWG’s health-based guideline. The radioactive contaminant is known to cause kidney damage and cancer. It usually enters groundwater from natural deposits in the earth’s crust, especially in areas with human activities such as uranium processing and disposal, mining, or gas and oil drilling.
3. Nitrate
This fertilizer chemical is found in L.A.’s water at levels 12 times EWG’s health guideline. It is often associated with an increased risk of colorectal, thyroid, ovarian, kidney, and bladder cancer. Although usually associated mostly with rural areas, traces of nitrate were found in water systems serving both rural and urban areas in Los Angeles.
4. Hexavalent chromium
Also known as chromium-6, Hexavalent chromium was detected in L.A.’s water at 12 times EWG’s health guideline. Research has indicated that exposure to this compound is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
5. Lead
Lead contamination varies significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood, depending on infrastructure and plumbing materials. One of the key indicators in urban areas is aging infrastructure, since lead pipes were once used in hundreds of cities. The metal is a potent neurotoxin that impairs children’s intellectual development.
6. Disinfection byproducts
Four of the nine contaminants in LA’s tap water that exceed EWG’s health guidelines are disinfection byproducts, including the haloacetic acids HAA5 and HAA9, bromate, and total trihalomethanes.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in LA?
Yes, the water delivered to you in LA is safe to drink. Although several contaminants have been found in water sampled across LA, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power continuously samples and tests every day to make sure it is safe for all uses. This testing shows that tap water delivered by the department meets or exceeds all Federal and State drinking water standards. However, improperly maintained or old plumbing devices may affect the quality of water coming from the taps inside your home or business.
To make sure the water you are drinking is safe, you need an expert to inspect your taps and water system. Even as the city continues to improve infrastructure, installing and using a filtration system offers added protection.
