What was found in Downey's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 1000000 µg/L 10000% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 10000 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 7400 µg/L 74% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 5400 µg/L 135% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 4000 µg/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 290 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 200 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 88.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | UCMR-5 |
| TTHM | 67.3 µg/L 84% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 32.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 31 µg/L 52% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 27.714 µg/L 92% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 25 µg/L 167% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 23.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 21.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 20 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 18 µg/L No EPA limit set | 6/8 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 13 µg/L 217% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 6 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 9.9 µg/L 9.9% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 9.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 9.6 µg/L 96% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 7.9 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 6.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 3.7 µg/L 74% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroethylene | 3 µg/L 60% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 2.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Beryllium, Total | 1.9 µg/L 48% of the EPA limit 4 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 1.4 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 7 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 1.4 µg/L 28% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.6600 µg/L 0.9% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.5800 µg/L 0.6% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| PFOS | 0.0590 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0270 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0210 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0190 mg/L 127% above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L | 8/8 | LCR |
| PFOA | 0.0160 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | UCMR-5 |
| PFHXS | 0.0110 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0100 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0089 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhpa | 0.0042 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving Downey
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| DOWNEY - CITY, WATER DEPT. | 110,556 |
| LIBERTY UTILITIES - BELLFLOWER-NORWALK | 72,624 |
| LIBERTY UTILITIES (AV RANCHOS) CORP. | 64,469 |
| LIBERTY UTILITIES - COMPTON | 26,371 |
| LIBERTY UTILITIES - LYNWOOD | 24,701 |
| LIBERTY UTILITIES - MESA CREST | 1,619 |
| LIBERTY -YERMO | 861 |
| LIBERTY-BELLVIEW HEIGHTS | 155 |
Frequently asked questions about Downey tap water
Is Downey tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 39 contaminants in the water serving Downey. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Downey?
8 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Downey, California to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Downey's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Downey include Nitrate-Nitrite, Nitrate, Fluoride, Barium, Copper. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.