A
89

US Water Score: A

Los Angeles, CA 90022

Los Angeles County · Population served: 152,474 · Data updated July 2026

Service-area evidence: EPA service-area records associate the listed system with this ZIP. Boundaries may still overlap or change.

Water Systems Serving This Area

🏔
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE CO. - ELA
Surface water · Pop. 152,474
PWSID: CA1910036

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
0.0
15 ppb 1 ppb Passed

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

5 detected 1 above comparison value

UCMR5 occurrence results are screening information, not a finding of regulatory compliance or noncompliance. PFAS rules and compliance dates are evolving.

CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFPeA12.9 pptNo standardNo federal MCL shown
PFOS8.6 ppt4 ppt4 pptAbove comparison value
PFBA8.0 pptNo standard500 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFHxA7.6 pptNo standard400 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFBS4.9 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow comparison value

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Los Angeles

Tap water quality in Los Angeles, California (90022) receives an overall grade of A (Lower record-based concern) with a score of 89 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is roughly in line with the California state average of 92. Compared to the national average (75), this area performs significantly better. The area is served by California Water Service Co. - Ela, a surface water system providing water to approximately 152,474 people. Notably, 1 PFAS compound exceeds the EPA final MCL value used for comparison — a significant concern given the persistent nature of these chemicals. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.

Your Score 89/100 A
vs State 4 pts below California avg (92)
vs National 14 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 89/100 means public water-system records for Los Angeles, CA show relatively few concerns in the US Water Score model. This is an internal score, not an EPA safety rating, and it does not guarantee conditions at any specific tap.

Surface water: sourced from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

⚠️

Lead in Your Water

Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Health Effects

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Common Sources

Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.

What You Can Do

If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on public water-system records, Los Angeles, California receives an internal US Water Score grade of A (Lower record-based concern) with a score of 89/100. This indicates relatively few system-level concerns in our model, but it is not an EPA safety rating and does not guarantee tap conditions inside individual homes.

ZIP code 90022 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 152,474 people. Surface water systems are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and weather events, but typically undergo more extensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.

Lead levels in Los Angeles, California are 0.0 ppb, which is at or below the health guideline of 1 ppb. This is a positive result, though periodic testing is still recommended.

Yes — 5 PFAS compounds were detected in records associated with water serving Los Angeles, California, and 1 result exceeded the numerical EPA MCL value used for comparison. UCMR5 occurrence results alone are not a regulatory compliance determination. PFAS rules and compliance timelines are evolving; verify current information with the utility and EPA.

Water systems serving Los Angeles, California have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.

Based on detected contaminants (PFAS), residents in Los Angeles, California should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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