Analies Dyjak, M.A.  |  Research Analyst
**Updated July 7, 2022 to include current available data

For Hydroviv’s assessment of Los Angeles tap water, we aggregated water quality test data from LADWP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The custom water filters that we offer in Los Angeles are optimized with this research in mind.

Source Of Los Angeles Drinking Water

Los Angeles receives water from several sources. In 2021, the Los Angeles Aqueduct (LAA) supplied 12 percent of the water that was treated at the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant. Purchased imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), sourced from the State Water Project and Colorado River Aqueduct amounted to 73 percent. The remaining water supply was sourced from local groundwater at 12 percent and recycled water at 3 percent.

High Levels Of Lead In Los Angeles Drinking Water

Lead enters Los Angeles' drinking and tap water through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures put in place by the municipality fail (like what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and can reach dangerous levels. Currently,10% of LA water quality samples analyzed for lead are over 5 parts per billion. While in compliance with very loose federal regulations, EPA, CDC and American Academy Of Pediatrics all acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead for children.

High Levels Of Chromium 6 In Los Angeles Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal that is not regulated by the EPA. According to the most recent report, maximum Chromium 6 levels in Los Angeles drinking water were reported at 2.8 parts per billion. For the sake of perspective, Chromium 6 levels in LA's water quality are 140 times higher than the 0.02 parts per billion concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk.

PFAS in Los Angeles Drinking Water

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a category of emerging contaminants commonly used in firefighting foam, Teflon, non-stick surfaces, stain-resistant surfaces, and food packaging. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has determined that PFAS exposure is associated with various adverse health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, lowered fertility rates, and developmental issues in infants and young children. 

PFAS were detected at locations in and around Los Angeles, including several municipal water companies, the Airport Industrial Park in Los Angeles, and the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. Total PFAS levels ranged from  these locations ranged from 56 ppt to 933 ppt. Not all water filters are designed to remove PFAS from tap water. If you'd like to find water filters that remove PFAS from tap water, check out this Duke/NC State PFAS study. Hydroviv filters are NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certified for PFOA/PFOS removal.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Los Angeles’ Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. EPA regulates two categories of DBPs: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). The EPA has stated that DBPs have been associated with increased risk of bladder cancer as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. In 2021, Haloacetic Acid levels in Los Angeles were as high as 13 parts per billion, compared to the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 60 parts per billion, while Total Trihalomethane levels were as high as 48 parts per billion, compared to the EPA MCL of 80 parts per billion.

Arsenic In Los Angeles Drinking Water

Arsenic is a naturally occurring hazardous heavy metal that can cause cancer and other health problems. 2021 Arsenic levels were reported to be as high as 2 ppb. While Los Angeles' Arsenic levels were not in violation of EPA water quality standards, consumers should know that the U.S. EPA's standard balances toxicity against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. We strongly suggest that tap water with levels higher than 1 part per billion be treated to remove arsenic, especially in homes with children.

Still Have Questions About Los Angeles Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each customer's water. The contaminants that we list above are what we consider to be major “points of emphasis” that we use to build water filters that are built specifically for Los Angeles, but our filters provide broad protection against a wide range of contaminants.

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for LA tap water, or just have questions about water quality in general, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.  We pride ourselves in being a reputable source of information on water quality, and your questions will be answered by scientists, not salespeople (we don't have any salespeople).

Please Share This Los Angeles Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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Emma Schultz M.S.  |  Scientific Contributor

Updated June 11, 2021 to include most recent data

For our Anchorage water quality assessment, we aggregated water quality test data from the Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility, the water provider for Anchorage, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we sell in Anchorage are optimized with these issues in mind.

Source Of Anchorage Drinking Water

Anchorage tap water comes from both ground and surface waters. Eklutna Lake, which is surrounded by the snowfields and glaciers of Chugach State Park, accounts for approximately 84% of the water that Anchorage customers receive. Supplementary surface water comes from Ship Creek, much of which is also in Chugach State Park. Ancillary groundwater (12% of the supply in 2016) comes from ten wells in Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River, which pump from aquifers that are also recharged by the runoff and snowmelt from the Chugach Mountains.

Lead In Anchorage Drinking Water

Lead enters into a customer’s tap water through lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail (such as recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and reaches toxic levels. Recent analysis for lead in Anchorage found a 90th percentile concentration of less than 1 part per billion. Of the 45 sites sampled, no sites exceeded the set Action Level of 15 ppb. While Anchorage's tap water is in compliance with all federal regulations, both the EPA and CDC acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead. In addition, federal regulations cannot possibly account for levels measured at an individual tap.

Chromium 6 In Anchorage Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal not currently regulated by the EPA. Anchorage tap water has recently averaged a substantial 580 parts per trillion for chromium 6. These levels are 28 times higher than the minimum concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Anchorage Drinking Water

DBPs are emerging contaminants that are formed when chlorine-based disinfectants are added to the water supply, and later combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. These chemicals are not well-regulated, but the EPA has stated that they are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. Anchorage tap water has levels of DBPs with a 2020 average of 16.1 parts per billion (more of which comes from trihalomethanes than from haloacetic acids).

Use Of Chlorine In Anchorage Tap Water

As with much of the United States, Anchorage adds chlorine to its water to protect its consumers against waterborne illness. While not considered overtly harmful, many people find that removing chlorine from their drinking water greatly improves their overall taste and odor. When you choose to filter your tap water, we expect that you will notice an immediate improvement in taste.

Still Have Questions About Anchorage Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filter for Anchorage tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, heavy metals [including lead], pharmaceuticals, solvents, pesticides, mercury).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Anchorage tap water, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.

Please Share This Anchorage Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information! 

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Kezia Snipe  |  Hydroviv Research Analyst
Updated May 14, 2021 to include current available data

We've updated our assessment of Indianapolis drinking water to include the most recent available data. Our Water Nerds used data from Citizens Energy Group (the water provider for Indianapolis), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. Our team then uses these data and cross references toxicity studies in scientific and medical literature. The water filters that we build for our customers in Indianapolis are optimized with this information in mind.

Source Of Indianapolis Drinking Water

Indianapolis gets water from a variety of sources. The White River supplies two of the four plants (White River and White River North). Geist Reservoir supplies water for the Fall Creek Treatment Plant. Eagle Creek Reservoir supplies water to the T.W. Moses Treatment Plant. Supplementary groundwater is also available depending on service areas. 

Pesticides & Volatile Organic Compounds In Indianapolis Tap Water

In the most recent water quality data, Indianapolis disclosed the detection of Atrazine, 2,4-D, Simazine, Xylenes, and Toluene. These chemicals typically contaminate drinking water from agricultural and industrial runoff. While the disclosed levels are low, they are easily removed by a properly designed water filter.

Lead In Indianapolis Drinking Water

Lead enters tap water through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures put in place by the municipality fail (like what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and can reach dangerous levels. Currently, 10% of samples analyzed for lead in Indianapolis are over 7.7 parts per billion. While the city is currently in compliance with federal regulations, EPA, CDC, and American Academy of Pediatrics both acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead, and federal regulations do not take into account levels measured at an individual tap. 

Chromium 6 In Indianapolis Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal that is not currently regulated by the EPA. In recent years, Indianapolis tap water has averaged 80 parts per trillion for Chromium 6. To put it in perspective, these levels are 4 times higher than the concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Indianapolis Drinking Water

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Although these chemicals are not currently regulated very well, the EPA has disclosed that they are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Chlorine In Indianapolis Drinking Water

Like many other municipalities in the United States, Indianapolis injects its water with chlorine to protect against waterborne illness. While not typically considered to be harmful on its own, many people find that removing chlorine from drinking water greatly enhances its taste and odor.

Still Have Questions About Indianapolis Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filters for Indianapolis tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, heavy metals [including lead], pharmaceuticals, solvents, pesticides, mercury).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Indianapolis tap water, please check out www.hydroviv.com, reach out to one of our water nerds by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.

Please Share This Indianapolis Water Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information!

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Emma Schultz, M.S.  |  Scientific Contributor

For our assessment of Anaheim's tap water quality, we aggregated water quality test data from Anaheim Public Utilities, the water provider for Anaheim (in collaboration with the Orange County Water District), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we sell in Anaheim are optimized with these issues in mind.

Source Water

Anaheim tap water is a blend of local groundwater and imported water. Water is imported from Northern California, and the Colorado River. Local groundwater comes from a natural aquifer replenished with water from the Santa Ana River, rainfall, and imported water. Customers also may receive water from Anaheim’s Lenain Water Treatment Facility.

High Levels Of Chromium 6 In Anaheim Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal that not currently regulated by the EPA. Anaheim Anaheim's tap water quality has recently averaged 470 parts per trillion for chromium 6. Put in perspective, these levels are 15 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Arsenic In Anaheim Drinking Water

Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal known to cause cancer, among other adverse health effects. Arsenic originates in the source water itself. While Anaheim's water quality is technically in compliance with EPA water quality standards, it should be noted that EPA’s standard balances toxicity against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The most recent tap water quality report for Anaheim reported an average arsenic concentration less than 2 parts per billion for customers whose water comes from the Lenain Water Treatment Facility. We recommend that anyone with more than 1 part per billion take steps to remove arsenic from their water, particularly if they have children.

Lead

Lead enters tap water through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures put in place by the municipality fail (such as what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into drinking water, and can reach unsafe levels. Currently, 2 out of 50 samples analyzed for lead in Anaheim were found to have less than 5 parts per billion. While Anaheim's water quality is currently in compliance with federal regulations, EPA and CDC both acknowledge that there is no safe level of lead. In addition, federal regulations cannot take into account levels measured at an individual tap.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants are added to the water supply and combine with naturally-occurring organic matter. While these chemicals are not yet well-regulated, the EPA has stated that they have been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. Anaheim’s tap water has recently had high levels of trihalomethanes, with an average of 71 ppb, and has measured low levels of haloacetic acids as well.

Chlorine

Like many municipalities in the United States, Anaheim adds chlorine to its water to protect against waterborne illness. While not considered toxic, many people find that removing chlorine from drinking water greatly improves the overall taste and odor. When your tap water is filtered, we expect that you will notice an immediate taste improvement.

Still Have Questions About Anaheim Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filter for Anaheim tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, lead, solvents, pesticides, mercury).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Anaheim tap water, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.

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