Tap Water Results

Is Cerritos, CA tap water safe?

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

Summary

Golden State Water Company – Artesia, 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.

2 public water systems serve parts of Cerritos. The largest, Golden State Water Company – Artesia, serves 50,415 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Golden State Water Company – Artesia

50,415 people · Groundwater · EPA ID CA1910004

Buys treated water from City of Cerritos Water Dept., Long Beach Utilities Department, City of Lakewood Water Dept., Golden State Water Company – West Orange County.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Above limit
12 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
3.35 ppt10 pptDetected, below 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 PFOS average is higher than at 90% of the California systems EPA tested.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Golden State Water Company – Artesia 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.

Cerritos homes and lead pipes

83%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
24%
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. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Cerritos city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Cerritos

  • City of Cerritos Water Dept.
    46,851 people · Purchased surface water · California · lists this city
    PFOS detectedAlso: Lithium above screening level

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Norwalk 3 mi
Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk
Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-NorwalkAbove limit0 ppb
Lakewood 3 mi
City of Lakewood Water Dept.
City of Lakewood Water Dept.Above limit0 ppb
Bellflower 4 mi
Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk
Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-NorwalkAbove limit0 ppb
Buena Park 4 mi
City of Buena Park
City of Buena ParkAbove limit0 ppb
Cypress 4 mi
Golden State Water Company – West Orange County
Golden State Water Company – West Orange CountyAbove limit2.2 ppb
La Mirada 4 mi
Suburban Water Systems-Whittier
Suburban Water Systems-WhittierAbove limit0 ppb
Cerritos ZIP codes (1)
  • 90703

Questions

Is Cerritos tap water safe to drink?

Golden State Water Company – Artesia 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 Cerritos, CA?

2 public water systems serve parts of Cerritos. The largest is Golden State Water Company – Artesia (50,415 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Cerritos tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOS at Golden State Water Company – Artesia. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Cerritos homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 83% of Cerritos 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. Golden State Water Company – Artesia'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.