Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Burbank, CA tap water
47 contaminants were measured in the Burbank, CA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 4 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 47
- Over federal limit
- 4
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
- Service area
- CA
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Range0–45 ng/Llimit 10 ng/L · 4.5× 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)PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)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..
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
- Maximum contaminant level exceededHealth-based1 violation on record · most recent Jan 1993resolved
Source: EPA SDWIS / ECHO. View the full federal record on EPA ECHO ↗
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
| |||
| 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 | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Burbank Raw Water, Burbank Water
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–13 ng/LRangeSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0–12 ng/LRangeSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
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 |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 0–6.35 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 0–19 pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | 20 pCi/LMCL | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0–5.8 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.5–0.7 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 43 mg/LReported levelBurbank Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 77–92 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate Nitrite | 0–5.8 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Chromium | 0–6.4 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
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/LMCL | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.4 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0–100 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 2000 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | Not detected ug/LReported levelBurbank Water | None set | None detected |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— No. of Schools Requesting Lead Sampling, No. Sites needing corrective action
| |||
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 0–91 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 140–170 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 1 ug/LNL | Detected — no federal limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 38–84 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0–5.5 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 14–23 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 2.6–4.6 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 34–46 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Strontium | 0–920 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Vanadium | 0–4.5 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 50 ug/LNL | Detected — no federal limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0–0.15 NTURangeSystem-wide | 1 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 0Reported levelBurbank Water | None set | None detected |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 98–230 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 0–2RangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 148–300 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.4Reported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 498–740RangeSystem-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 |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 291–470 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 9 ug/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 0.6 ug/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 0.4 ug/LRunning annual avgSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. | 71–120 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 800 ug/LNL | Detected — no federal limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0MaximumNo. of detection | 0MCLG | None detected |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 3 %MaximumNo. of detection | None set | Detected — no federal 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 4 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, 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?
47 contaminants were measured in Burbank, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and physical & aggregate. 17 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?
4 contaminants in Burbank, CA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (4.5× 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 Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, at 4.5× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+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.