Tap Water Results

Is Bellflower, CA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, 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.

3 public water systems serve parts of Bellflower. The largest, Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk, serves 72,472 people, and 3 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk

72,472 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA1910211

Buys treated water from Golden State Water Company – Norwalk, Bellflower – Somerset Mutual Water Company, Metropolitan Water District of SO. Cal..

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
15.5 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
55 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Rounds to the limit
10.5 ppt10 pptRounds to the limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

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 PFOA average is higher than at 99% of the California systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 99% 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

Full Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk results

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.

Bellflower homes and lead pipes

71%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
15%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
61%
of households rent (California 44%)

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 Bellflower city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Bellflower

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Paramount 2 mi
City of Paramount Water Dept.
City of Paramount Water Dept.None above limits0 ppb
Lakewood 3 mi
City of Lakewood Water Dept.
City of Lakewood Water Dept.Above limit0 ppb
Norwalk 3 mi
Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk
Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-NorwalkAbove limit0 ppb
Downey 3 mi
City of Downey Water Dept.
City of Downey Water Dept.Above limit0 ppb
Cerritos 4 mi
Golden State Water Company – Artesia
Golden State Water Company – ArtesiaAbove limit0 ppb
Lynwood 5 mi
City of Lynwood Water Dept.
City of Lynwood Water Dept.Above limit0 ppb
Bellflower ZIP codes (1)
  • 90706

Questions

Is Bellflower tap water safe to drink?

Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk 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 Bellflower, CA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Bellflower. The largest is Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk (72,472 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Bellflower tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Bellflower homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 71% of Bellflower 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. Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk'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.