Is Bell Gardens, CA tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
California Water Service – East Los Angeles, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.
Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.
6 public water systems serve parts of Bell Gardens. The largest, California Water Service – East Los Angeles, serves 142,140 people, and 6 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
California Water Service – East Los Angeles
142,140 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA1910036
Buys treated water from Metropolitan Water District of SO. Cal..
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Above limit | 8.25 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
For context: the PFOS average is higher than at 88% of the California systems EPA tested.
Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across California, 129 of 691 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. California results.
Bell Gardens homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Bell Gardens city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Bell Gardens
- Golden State Water Company – Bell, Bell Gardens55,050 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs herePFOS above limitAlso: PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level
- Tract 180 Mutual Water Company14,000 people · Groundwater · California · reported ZIPs herePFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected
- City of Bell Gardens11,413 people · Purchased surface water · California · lists this cityPFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level
- Tract 349 Mutual Water Company8,700 people · Groundwater · California · reported ZIPs herePFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected
- Maywood Mutual Water Company #36,059 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs herePFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Downey 2 mi City of Downey Water Dept. | Above limit | 0 ppb |
| South Gate 3 mi City of South Gate Water Dept. | Above limit | 0 ppb |
| Huntington Park 4 mi Golden State Water Company – Florence/Graham | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Lynwood 4 mi City of Lynwood Water Dept. | Above limit | 0 ppb |
| Pico Rivera 4 mi San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Montebello 4 mi San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte | None above limits | 0 ppb |
Bell Gardens ZIP codes (1)
- 90201
Questions
Is Bell Gardens tap water safe to drink?
California Water Service – East Los Angeles has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Bell Gardens, CA?
6 public water systems serve parts of Bell Gardens. The largest is California Water Service – East Los Angeles (142,140 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Bell Gardens tap water have PFAS?
Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOS at California Water Service – East Los Angeles. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.
Do Bell Gardens homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 70% of Bell Gardens homes as built before 1980 (California: 56%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. California Water Service – East Los Angeles's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.