Drinking water quality · 2023

· Verified

What's in Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA tap water

124 contaminants were measured in the Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit 7 sit at or above that limit.

Reporting year
2023
Contaminants measured
124
Over federal limit
7
Approaching the limit
1
Worst contaminant
Tce
26.0× the limit
Service area
CA
state-level CCR
Source
Utility CCR

PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)

2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA

About this data

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.

PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)

● Over EPA limit (4.0×)
Measured 15.8 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

near national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)

● Over EPA limit (3.7×)
Measured 14.8 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

above national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)

● Below limit
Measured 5.5 ng/LEPA limit 10 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

below national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFBA

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 11 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

near national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

Lithium

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 60.4 mg/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

near national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFBS

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 16.9 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

above national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFHpA

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 5.3 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

near national p90 (9.309999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFHxA

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 11.6 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7

near national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PFPeA

● Detected (no federal limit)
Measured 12.2 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 3 detect / 5

near national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)

PWSID CA1910043 · Source: EPA UCMR5. Limits per EPA's April 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. PFAS values reported in nanograms per liter (ng/L) — note that 1 ng/L = 1 part per trillion.

Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS

Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 14 sources.

Source

14ground water
  • GLORIETTA · 3
  • FOOTHILL WELL
  • VERDUGO INFILT SYSTEM
  • GOU GS-3 DISCHARGE
  • + 8 more

Treatment

15treatment plants
  • GNOU - UV EFFLUENT
  • GSOU - UV INFLUENT
  • GSOU - UV EFFLUENT
  • + 12 more

Distribution

28storage units

Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., CRESCENTA VALLEY CWD, and 1 more.

Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)

9 contaminants historically over EPA limits in Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA

About this data

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.

ContaminantWorst detectionEPA limitYears (2012–2019)
PCE
worst: 2019
0.24 mg/L
48.0×
0.005 mg/L
'19
DICHLOROETHYLENE 11
worst: 2014
0.057 mg/L
8.1×
7.0× the national p90
0.007 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
CYANIDE
worst: 2013
0.64 mg/L
3.2×
5.1× the national p90
0.2 mg/L
'13
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
worst: 2014
0.012 mg/L
2.4×
2.4× the national p90
0.005 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
GROSS BETA
worst: 2018
8.2 mrem/yr
2.0×
4 mrem/yr
'14'16'17'18'19
TRICHLOROETHANE 112
worst: 2013
0.0075 mg/L
1.5×
3.1× the national p90
0.005 mg/L
'12'13'14'15
CHROMIUM
worst: 2019
0.15 mg/L
1.5×
15.0× the national p90
0.1 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
NITRATE
worst: 2012
11.5 mg/L
1.2×
10 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
NITRATE NITRITE
worst: 2018
11 mg/L
1.1×
10 mg/L
'16'17'18'19
TTHM
worst: 2012
0.076 mg/L
95%
0.08 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
ARSENIC
worst: 2014
0.0057 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.01 mg/L
'12'13'14'16'18
DICHLOROMETHANE
worst: 2017
0.0027 mg/L
within
0.005 mg/L
'17
PENTACHLOROPHENOL
worst: 2017
0.00051 mg/L
within
0.001 mg/L
'17'19
DICHLOROETHANE 12
worst: 2016
0.0018 mg/L
within
near national p90
0.005 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
HAA5
worst: 2014
0.021 mg/L
within
0.06 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
TRANS DICHLOROETHYLENE 12
worst: 2017
0.033 mg/L
within
0.1 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
CIS DICHLOROETHYLENE 12
worst: 2012
0.022 mg/L
within
above national p90
0.07 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
FLUORIDE
worst: 2014
0.86 mg/L
within
4 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
SELENIUM
worst: 2014
0.0077 mg/L
within
0.05 mg/L
'14'15'16'18'19
BARIUM
worst: 2018
0.19 mg/L
within
near national p90
2 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
TRICHLOROETHANE 111
worst: 2012
0.002 mg/L
within
below national p90
0.2 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
URANIUM
worst: 2012
0.0209 ug/L
within
near national p90
30 ug/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
NITRITE
worst: 2017
0.00051 mg/L
within
1 mg/L
'17
XYLENES TOTAL
worst: 2014
0.0017 mg/L
within
10 mg/L
'14
MCAA
worst: 2013
0.0026 mg/L
'13'14'18
COPPER
worst: 2012
0.11 mg/L
below national p90
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
LEAD
worst: 2012
0.1 mg/L
'12
DBAA
worst: 2012
0.0062 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
DCAA
worst: 2012
0.0032 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
MBAA
worst: 2012
0.0015 mg/L
'12'13
TCAA
worst: 2012
0.0051 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE
worst: 2012
0.019 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
BROMOFORM
worst: 2012
0.028 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
CHLOROFORM
worst: 2012
0.019 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE
worst: 2012
0.031 mg/L
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
PWSID CA1910043 · Source: EPA Six-Year Review 4 (2012–2019). Values are the highest detection in each calendar year; non-detect years are omitted. Year tags above show every year with a detection.

Other

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Tce130 UG/LAverageDistributionAt or above the limit
Dehp0.06470000000000001 UG/LAverageDistributionWithin the limit
CarbofuranNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChlordaneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
DehaNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Dichloropropane 12Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
DinosebNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
DiquatNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
EdbNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
EndothallNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
EndrinNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
GlyphosateNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
HeptachlorNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Heptachlor EpoxideNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
HexachlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
HexachlorocyclopentadieneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
MethoxychlorNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
O DichlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
OxamylNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
P DichlorobenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Pcb TotalNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
PicloramNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
StyreneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
ToxapheneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Trichlorobenzene 124Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
TwofourdNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Vinyl ChlorideNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected

VOCs & pesticides

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
1,2,3-TCP0.017474137931034483 UG/LAverageSource waterAt or above the limit
AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
BenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
Benzo(a)pyreneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
ChloroethaneA volatile organic compound used in some industrial processes.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
ChloromethaneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
DalaponNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
DichlorodifluoromethaneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
EthylbenzeneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
SimazineNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
TolueneNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected

Metals

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater.1000 UG/LAverageDistributionAt or above the limit
ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock.42.03770491803279 UG/LAverageSource waterApproaching the limit
AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant.740 UG/LAverageDistributionWithin the limit
ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes.5.21078431372549 UG/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
AntimonyNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
BerylliumNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
CadmiumNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge.Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistributionNone detected
ThalliumNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil.212.38095238095238 UG/LAverageEntry pointDetected — no federal limit
CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.25.863013698630137 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium.110 UG/LAverageDistributionDetected — no federal limit
MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness.39.333333333333336 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.3.7086956521739127 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
SilicaA naturally occurring compound from sand and rock.27.545454545454547 MG/LAverageEntry pointDetected — no federal limit
SodiumA naturally occurring salt component.61 MG/LAverageEntry pointDetected — no federal limit
Vanadium12 UG/LAverageDistributionDetected — no federal limit

Physical & aggregate

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts.753.0434782608696 MG/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content.1178.4 UMHO/CMAverageSource waterWithin the limit
ColorA measure of visible tint in the water.3 UNITSAverageSource waterWithin the limit
TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water.0.47500000000000003 NTUAverageSource waterWithin the limit
OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water.Not detected TONHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids.143.69884726224785 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals.435.8225806451613 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is.7.9818181818181815 PHAverageEntry pointDetected — no federal limit

Radionuclides

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances.7.4799999999999995 PCI/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements.0.1644875 PCI/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

Disinfection byproducts

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection.2.9 UG/LAverageDistributionWithin the limit
N-Nitrosodi-n-butylamineNot detected UG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade.139.4814814814815 UG/LAverageEntry pointDetected — no federal limit
NDMA0.0011956521739130434 UG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

Inorganic chemicals

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.156.98586363636363 MG/LAverageEntry pointWithin the limit
ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound.148.52173913043478 MG/LAverageSource waterWithin the limit
Ammonia0.16958333333333334 MG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit

PFAS ("forever chemicals")

ContaminantMeasuredStatus
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound.Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource waterNone detected
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry pointNone detected
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.'1.209375 NG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.'0.84375 NG/LAverageSource waterDetected — no federal limit
Source: Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.

People also ask about Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA's water

+Is Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA tap water safe to drink in 2023?

The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA water utility lists 7 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Tce, Pce, 1,2,3-TCP, Iron, Dichloroethylene 11, Chromium, and Carbon Tetrachloride. 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 Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA tap water?

124 contaminants were measured in Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning other, metals, and pfas ("forever chemicals"). 81 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 Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA tap water?

7 contaminants in Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA's 2023 report sit at or above the federal limit: Tce (26.0× the limit); Pce (8.1× the limit); 1,2,3-TCP (3.5× the limit); Iron (3.3× the limit); Dichloroethylene 11 (3.0× the limit); Chromium (2.2× the limit); Carbon Tetrachloride (1.9× 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 Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA tap water?

The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is Tce, at 26.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the other family of contaminants.

+Are any contaminants in Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA tap water approaching the federal limit?

One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Manganese. 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 Glendale-city, Water Dept., CA's 2023 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 Glendale-city, Water Dept., 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 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.

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