Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Burbank, CA tap water
46 contaminants were measured in the Burbank, CA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 20 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 46
- Over federal limit
- 20
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Specific Conductance
- Service area
- CA
- Specific ConductancePhysical & aggregate · Range498–740limit 1 · 740.0× the limit
- Total Dissolved SolidsPhysical & aggregate · Range291–470 mg/Llimit 1 mg/L · 470.0× the limit
- StrontiumMetals · Range0–920 ug/Llimit 2 ug/L · 460.0× the limit
- MagnesiumMetals · Range14–23 mg/Llimit 0.1 mg/L · 230.0× the limit
- BoronMetals · Range140–170 ug/Llimit 1 ug/L · 170.0× the limit
- AlkalinityPhysical & aggregate · Range98–230 mg/Llimit 2 mg/L · 115.0× the limit
- BariumMetals · Range0–100 ug/Llimit 1 ug/L · 100.0× the limit
- HardnessPhysical & aggregate · Range148–300 mg/Llimit 3 mg/L · 100.0× the limit
- CalciumMetals · Range38–84 mg/Llimit 1 mg/L · 84.0× the limit
- SodiumMetals · Range34–46 mg/Llimit 1 mg/L · 46.0× the limit
- Perfluorohexanoic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–87 ng/Llimit 3 ng/L · 29.0× the limit
- Perfluoropentanoic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–54 ng/Llimit 3 ng/L · 18.0× the limit
- PotassiumMetals · Range2.6–4.6 mg/Llimit 1 mg/L · 4.6× the limit
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–45 ng/Llimit 10 ng/L · 4.5× the limit
- Perfluoroheptanoic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–13 ng/Llimit 3 ng/L · 4.3× the limit
- PFBAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–20 ng/Llimit 5 ng/L · 4.0× the limit
- Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)PFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–12 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 3.0× the limit
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–11 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 2.8× the limit
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–5.8 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 1.4× the limit
- Gross AlphaRadionuclides · Range0–16.9 pCi/Llimit 15 pCi/L · 1.1× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
3 PFAS compounds detected in Burbank, CA
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Burbank, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 8 sources.
Source
- BURBANK OU WELL VO-5
- BURBANK OU WELL VO-7
- WELL VO-8
- BURBANK OU WELL VO-1
- + 4 more
Treatment
- FOREBY INFLUENT - EAST (B)
- BOU VOC PLANT EFF AT PT OF DELIVERY (A)
- BURBANK OPERABLE UNIT (BOU)
- + 5 more
Distribution
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., GLENDALE-CITY, WATER DEPT..
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
7 contaminants historically over EPA limits in Burbank, CA
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
PCE worst: 2017 | 0.25 mg/L 50.0× | 0.005 mg/L | '14'15'17'18'19 |
TCE worst: 2012 | 0.2 mg/L 40.0× | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
GROSS BETA worst: 2014 | 10 mrem/yr 2.5× | 4 mrem/yr | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TTHM worst: 2012 | 0.12 mg/L 1.5× | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE worst: 2016 | 12 mg/L 1.2× | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DICHLOROETHYLENE 11 worst: 2016 | 0.0079 mg/L 1.1× near national p90 | 0.007 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2016 | 11 mg/L 1.1× | 10 mg/L | '16'17'18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2017 | 0.0059 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '13'14'17 |
TRICHLOROETHANE 112 worst: 2014 | 0.0026 mg/L within above national p90 | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'16'17'18'19 |
DICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2019 | 0.0024 mg/L within | 0.005 mg/L | '17'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2015 | 0.027 mg/L within | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE worst: 2012 | 0.0016 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHROMIUM worst: 2014 | 0.031 mg/L within 3.1× the national p90 | 0.1 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2014 | 0.67 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DICHLOROETHANE 12 worst: 2016 | 0.00052 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.005 mg/L | '16 |
BARIUM worst: 2017 | 0.15 mg/L within near national p90 | 2 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CIS DICHLOROETHYLENE 12 worst: 2018 | 0.0037 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.07 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ETHYLBENZENE worst: 2012 | 0.0017 mg/L within | 0.7 mg/L | '12 |
NITRITE worst: 2018 | 0.0017 mg/L within | 1 mg/L | '18 |
URANIUM worst: 2014 | 0.0268 ug/L within above national p90 | 30 ug/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
XYLENES TOTAL worst: 2012 | 0.0061 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.0026 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2013 | 0.0055 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18 |
MBAA worst: 2014 | 0.0047 mg/L | — | '14'17 |
TCAA worst: 2013 | 0.0048 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.037 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.01 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.047 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.03 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 498–740RangeSystem-wide | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 291–470 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 98–230 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 148–300 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 3 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 0–2RangeSystem-wide | 15MCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0–0.15 NTURangeSystem-wide | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 0Reported levelBurbank Water | 3MCL | None detected |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.3–8.4RangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 0–2.4 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strontium | 0–920 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 2 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 14–23 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 0.1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 140–170 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 ug/LNL | At or above the limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 38–84 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 34–46 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 2.6–4.6 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0–5.5 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 0–91 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 200 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.4 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0–6.4 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 50 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Vanadium | 0–4.5 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 50 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 15 ug/LAction level | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— No. of samples collected, No. of Schools Requesting Lead Sampling, No. Sites needing corrective action
| |||
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–45 ng/LRangeSource water | 10 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— Burbank Raw Water, Burbank Water
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–13 ng/LRangeSource water | 3 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–12 ng/LRangeSource water | 4 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 0–11 ng/LRangeSource water | 4 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— Burbank Raw Water, Burbank Water
| |||
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 0–5.8 ng/LRangeSource water | 4 ng/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— Burbank Raw Water, Burbank Water
| |||
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–20 ng/LRangeSource water | 500 ng/LNL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Burbank Raw Water, Burbank Water
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0–16.9 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | 15 pCi/LMCL | At or above the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 3 %Highest single sampleNo. of detection | 5 %MCL | Within the limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0Highest single sampleNo. of detection | 0MCL | None detected |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 2.1 mg/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMRDL | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. | 71–120 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 800 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 0.6 ug/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
People also ask about Burbank, CA's water
+Is Burbank, CA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Burbank, CA water utility lists 20 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids, Strontium, Magnesium, Boron, Alkalinity, Barium, Hardness, Calcium, Sodium, Perfluorohexanoic acid, Perfluoropentanoic acid, Potassium, Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, Perfluoroheptanoic acid, PFBA, Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS), PFOA, PFOS, and Gross Alpha. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Burbank, CA tap water?
46 contaminants were measured in Burbank, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and physical & aggregate. 44 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Burbank, CA tap water?
20 contaminants in Burbank, CA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance (740.0× the limit); Total Dissolved Solids (470.0× the limit); Strontium (460.0× the limit); Magnesium (230.0× the limit); Boron (170.0× the limit); Alkalinity (115.0× the limit); Barium (100.0× the limit); Hardness (100.0× the limit); Calcium (84.0× the limit); Sodium (46.0× the limit); Perfluorohexanoic acid (29.0× the limit); Perfluoropentanoic acid (18.0× the limit); Potassium (4.6× the limit); Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (4.5× the limit); Perfluoroheptanoic acid (4.3× the limit); PFBA (4.0× the limit); Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS) (3.0× the limit); PFOA (2.8× the limit); PFOS (1.4× the limit); Gross Alpha (1.1× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Burbank, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Specific Conductance, at 740.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Burbank, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Uranium. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Burbank, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Burbank, CA's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.