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Downey, CA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Downey, CA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Downey's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Downey - City, Water Dept. PWSID: CA1910034 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit at 5 of 5 sampling points

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 5 of 5 sampling points, running as high as 9.5 times the limit.

C

Downey earns a C for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: not detected
PFAS above the federal limit at 5 of 5 sampling points
1 violations since 2015, 1 health-based
No violations currently open
Downey's lead level vs. all California community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: Not detected — 0% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than % of California utilities
Population Served
113227
~23459 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
1 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
0% of EPA action level
Not detected
Action level: 15 ppb
Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile — the result fell below the laboratory detection limit. That is not the same as an absence of lead in every tap, and older homes with lead service lines can still show higher readings.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Revised Total Coliform Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2018 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

1 violations are on record since 2015, of which 1 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Downey - City, Water Dept.
PWSID CA1910034
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 113,227
Service connections 23,459
Systems serving this area 8
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Downey tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 5 of 5 sampling points. No violations are currently open.
Does Downey water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 5 of 5 sampling points, running as high as 9.5 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Downey? ▼
Downey - City, Water Dept. (PWSID CA1910034), one of 8 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-11-20. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Downey Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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