IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Los Angeles County Waterworks District 40 Regions 4 & 34, 35 and 38:
Hexavalent Chromium Above the Drinking Water Standard
This is not an emergency. As our customers, you have a right to know what’s happening with your water, how it impacts you and the steps we are taking to address it.
We regularly test our water to monitor for any contaminants. Recent test results show that some of our water sources have hexavalent chromium levels between 0.000034 and 0.018 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Some of these levels are above the current California standard (also known as the Maximum Contaminant Level, or MCL) of 0.010 mg/L (10 parts per billion). We are working closely with the State Water Resources Control Board to address this and meet the new standard within the state’s required timeline.
WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT IS BEING DONE?
We detected hexavalent chromium (chrome-6) levels above the California drinking water standard. Although these levels exceed the new limit, a water system of our size is not considered in violation until October 1, 2026, for Regions 4 & 34, October 1, 2027, for Region 38, and October 1, 2028, for Region 35. These deadlines provide time to meet the new requirements. We are actively developing a state-reviewed Hexavalent Chromium Compliance Plan and have already completed a comprehensive evaluation of our water system to determine the most effective treatment options. Our efforts include treating groundwater to reduce chrome-6 levels and blending with other water sources to lower concentrations. These actions are part of our ongoing commitment to address this issue proactively and ensure safe drinking water for our customers.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
No action required at this time, and you may continue using your tap water as you normally would. This is not an emergency. If it were, we would have notified you immediately. Long-term consumption of water with chrome-6 levels above the standard may increase the risk of cancer, but this occurs over many years of exposure. If you have personal health concerns or specific medical conditions, we recommend discussing them with your doctor.
CUSTOMER NOTICES
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
WHAT IS HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM OR CHROME-6?
- Hexavalent chromium or chrome-6 is a natural metallic element found in rocks and soil.
- Trivalent chromium (chrome-3), another form of the same element, is the most common form of chromium. It is naturally occurring, nontoxic, and an essential human nutrient.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
- In 2014, California adopted a new limit, but it was overturned in 2017.
- In 2024, California re-adopted the original limit. It became effective October 1, 2024.
- California remains the only state in the nation with a specific drinking water standard for hexavalent chromium.
IS MY WATER SAFE TO DRINK?
- You may continue using your tap water as you normally would.
- Chrome-6 is a component of total chromium, which is regulated by the U.S. EPA at a much higher level (0.10 mg/l or 100 parts per billion). Our water remains well below the federal limit.
- These standards address potential health impacts from long-term consumption of water with elevated levels of chromium
WHY AM I BEING NOTIFIED?
- Los Angeles County Waterworks District (LACWD) is required by the state to notify the public when the annual average of quarterly samples exceeds the chrome-6 MCL of 0.010 mg/L.
IN WHAT REGION DO I LIVE AND WHEN IS THE COMPLIANCE DEADLINE?
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATION?
- Water systems of our size are not considered in violation until October 1, 2026, for Regions 4 & 34, October 1, 2027, for Region 38, and October 1, 2028, for Region 38, giving time to comply with the new rule. We are developing a hexavalent chromium compliance plan, which must be reviewed by the state. As part of our efforts, we have conducted a comprehensive water system evaluation and assessed treatment options. We plan to reduce the chrome-6 levels by treating groundwater and blending with other water sources.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REGULATION
- LACWD is exploring the most cost-effective compliance plan, whether by water treatment or blending to significantly lower chrome-6 concentrations.