Is West Covina, CA tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte. 2 PFAS were detected below the limits.
4 public water systems serve parts of West Covina. The largest, San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte, serves 240,000 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte
240,000 people · Groundwater · EPA ID CA1910039
Buys treated water from Suburban Water Systems-San Jose, City of Whittier Water Dept., City of Pico Rivera Water Dept., Valley County Water District, City of Santa Fe Springs Water Dept., City of Arcadia, San Gabriel Valley Water Company – Montebello 2.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 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.
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: 2
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.
West Covina 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 West Covina city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Which system serves your ZIP code
Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.
| System | ZIP codes in West Covina |
|---|---|
| Suburban Water Systems-San Jose 170,523 people | 91791, 91792 |
| San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte 240,000 people | 91790 |
Other water systems serving West Covina
- Suburban Water Systems-San Jose170,523 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs hereLithium above screening level
- Rowland Water District56,100 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs hereLithium above screening level
- Valencia Heights Water Company7,775 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs herePFOA detectedAlso: PFOS detected · PFHxS detected
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Covina 3 mi Suburban Water Systems-San Jose | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| La Puente 3 mi San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Walnut 3 mi Suburban Water Systems-San Jose | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Azusa 6 mi Azusa Light and Water | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Diamond Bar 6 mi Walnut Valley Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| San Dimas 7 mi Golden State Water Company – San Dimas | Above limit | 2.1 ppb |
Questions
Is West Covina tap water safe to drink?
San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte had 2 health-based violations since 2016. 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 West Covina, CA?
4 public water systems serve parts of West Covina. The largest is San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte (240,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does West Covina tap water have PFAS?
San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte had 2 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.
Do West Covina homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 77% of West Covina 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. San Gabriel Valley Water Company – El Monte'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.