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Downey Water Quality

Latest water quality information for Downey, California

Last update on March 2025

Very bad

Unsafe water with serious health risks.

Exceeds 1 EPA limits and 5 recommended standards.

Water Provider
downey - city, water dept.
Owner Type
L (Local Government)
Population Served
111,269
Data Sources
2008-2024

Contaminants exceeding EPA limits

What it means: This refers to substances in the water that are found at levels higher than what the EPA allows. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is a U.S. government agency that sets legal limits for harmful contaminants to protect public health. Exceeding these limits means the water may pose health risks based on federal safety standards.

Good news! No contaminants were found to exceed EPA limits.

Contaminants exceeding recommended standards

What it means: This refers to substances in the water that are above health-based guidelines set by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These standards, while not always legally enforceable, are based on scientific research to protect health. Exceeding them may indicate potential health concerns.

Arsenic

1.10 ppb
275.0x
Recommended: 0.004000 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer

Sodium

58.30 ppm
2.9x
Recommended: 20 ppm
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Hypertension

Tetrachloroethylene

0.7000 ppb
11.7x
Recommended: 0.0600 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer, organ damage

Uranium

2.60 ppb
6.0x
Recommended: 0.4300 ppb
Above health-based recommendations

Potential Health Effects

Cancer, kidney damage

Other Detected Contaminants

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Recommended Status
Calcium 75.90 ppm Not established 80 ppm Within limits
Chloride 73.30 ppm 250 ppm 250 ppm Within limits
Fluoride 403 ppb 4000 ppb 2000 ppb Within limits
Magnesium 15 ppm Not established 30 ppm Within limits
Odor 2.60 TON 3 TON 3 TON Within limits
Ph Level 7.80 pH units 8.50 pH units 8.50 pH units Within limits
Potassium 4.30 ppb Not established 5000 ppb Within limits
Sulfate 117 ppm 250 ppm 250 ppm Within limits
Turbidity 0.3000 NTU 1 NTU 0.3000 NTU Within limits
No additional contaminants detected.

How to best protect from water pollution?

Reduce your water pollution exposure in California

Carbon Filter

Carbon filters are effective at removing many common contaminants including chlorine, sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and improves taste and odor.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse osmosis systems can remove up to 99% of dissolved contaminants from water including heavy metals, fluoride, nitrates, and arsenic.

Other ZIP codes in Downey