Quick answer: Los Angeles's water is supplied by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and has a hardness level of Hard. The primary contaminant of concern is PFAS. 30% of tap water samples detected PFAS, with 89% of detections in heavily industrialized areas. For the best protection, I recommend the AquaTru reverse osmosis system ($475) or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) as a budget pick.
What's in Los Angeles's Water?
Los Angeles's drinking water comes from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which serves the metro area's 13,200,000 residents. While the utility meets most federal EPA standards, meeting the minimum legal requirement doesn't always mean the water is as clean as you'd want for your family.
Here are the known contaminants and concerns for Los Angeles's water supply:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Utility | Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) |
| Key Contaminant | PFAS |
| Water Hardness | Hard |
| Known Issues | PFAS in industrial areas, chromium-6, disinfection byproducts, lead in older buildings |
| EPA Status | 30% of tap water samples detected PFAS, with 89% of detections in heavily industrialized areas. |
Why PFAS Matters
PFAS (forever chemicals) accumulate in the body and are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental issues in children. They do not break down naturally.
This is especially important for families with young children, pregnant women, or anyone with a compromised immune system. Children absorb contaminants at higher rates than adults, and their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the effects.
Check Your Specific Address
Water quality can vary within Los Angeles depending on which part of the distribution system serves your home, the age of your pipes, and whether you have lead service lines. I recommend two steps:
- Use our free Water Quality Lookup tool - Enter your ZIP code here to check EPA violation records for your specific area.
- Test your tap water - A home water test kit like Tap Score ($150-200) will tell you exactly what's in the water coming out of your faucet, which can be different from what the utility reports.
Best Water Filters for Los Angeles
Based on Los Angeles's specific contaminant profile, here's what I recommend:
Top Pick: AquaTru Countertop RO
The AquaTru is a countertop reverse osmosis system that removes 84 contaminants including PFAS, lead, PFAS, fluoride, and microplastics. No plumbing required.
- NSF/ANSI certified
- Removes 99.9% of PFAS
- Countertop - no installation
- $475 (filters last 6-12 months)
Budget Pick: Clearly Filtered Pitcher
The Clearly Filtered pitcher removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS and PFAS. It's the best pitcher filter I've tested.
- WQA certified for PFAS removal
- Removes 99.7% of PFAS
- No installation needed
- $90 (replacement filters ~$30 every 4 months)
Frequently Asked Questions
Los Angeles's water is supplied by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). 30% of tap water samples detected PFAS, with 89% of detections in heavily industrialized areas. While it may meet EPA minimum standards, those standards don't cover all contaminants of concern. For families with young children, I recommend using a certified water filter as an extra layer of protection.
Known contaminants in Los Angeles's water include PFAS in industrial areas, chromium-6, disinfection byproducts, lead in older buildings. The most significant concern is PFAS. You can check your specific area using our Water Quality Lookup tool.
Based on Los Angeles's contaminant profile, I recommend reverse osmosis (like AquaTru) or an NSF P473-certified filter (like Clearly Filtered). My top pick is the AquaTru ($475) for comprehensive protection, or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) for a budget option.
Los Angeles's water is classified as hard. Hard water can cause mineral buildup on fixtures, dry out skin and hair, and reduce soap effectiveness.