Is Downey, CA tap water safe?

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

City of Downey Water Dept., 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.

5 public water systems serve parts of Downey. The largest, City of Downey Water Dept., serves 110,556 people, and 3 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Downey Water Dept.

110,556 people · Groundwater · EPA ID CA1910034

Buys treated water from Metropolitan Water District of SO. Cal..

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Above limit	12.5 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFOS Above limit	38 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFHxS Detected, below limit	7.75 ppt	10 ppt	Detected, below limit
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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 97% 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 (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full City of Downey Water Dept. 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.

Downey homes and lead pipes

83%

of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)

15%

built before 1950 (California 14%)

49%

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

Other water systems serving Downey

Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk
72,472 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level
Golden State Water Company – Bell, Bell Gardens
55,050 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
PFOS above limitAlso: PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level
Golden State Water Company – Norwalk
43,167 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs here
Lithium above screening level
Golden State Water Company – Hollydale
8,099 people · Groundwater · California · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS
Bell Gardens 2 mi California Water Service – East Los Angeles	California Water Service – East Los Angeles	Above limit
Paramount 3 mi City of Paramount Water Dept.	City of Paramount Water Dept.	None above limits
Norwalk 3 mi Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk	Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk	Above limit
Bellflower 3 mi Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk	Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk	Above limit
South Gate 4 mi City of South Gate Water Dept.	City of South Gate Water Dept.	Above limit
Lynwood 4 mi City of Lynwood Water Dept.	City of Lynwood Water Dept.	Above limit

Downey ZIP codes (3)

90240
90241
90242

Questions

Is Downey tap water safe to drink?

City of Downey Water Dept. had 1 health-based violation 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 Downey, CA?

5 public water systems serve parts of Downey. The largest is City of Downey Water Dept. (110,556 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Downey tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at City of Downey Water Dept.. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Downey homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 83% of Downey 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. City of Downey Water Dept.'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.