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East Los Angeles, CA Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: California Water Service Co. - Ela PWSID: CA1910036 Updated: 2026 Q2
⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points, running as high as 2.06 times the limit.

C

East Los Angeles 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 1 of 10 sampling points
No violations since 2015
No violations currently open
East Los Angeles'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
117548
~26215 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
None on record since 2015

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)

✓ No violations on record for this water system.
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

No violations are on record for this system since 2015. EPA records violations for every community water system, so this reflects a clean compliance history rather than missing data.

About the Main Water System

Utility California Water Service Co. - Ela
PWSID CA1910036
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 117,548
Service connections 26,215
Systems serving this area 4
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East Los Angeles tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points. No violations are currently open.
Does East Los Angeles water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 10 sampling points, running as high as 2.06 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to East Los Angeles? ▼
California Water Service Co. - Ela (PWSID CA1910036), one of 4 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2024-12-20. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should East Los Angeles 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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