Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Glendale, CA tap water
38 contaminants were measured in the Glendale, 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
- 38
- Over federal limit
- 4
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Turbidity
- Service area
- CA
4.6× the limit
state-level CCR
At or above the federal limit
- TurbidityPhysical & aggregate · Reported level4.6 NTUlimit 1 NTU · 4.6× the limit
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level13 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 3.3× the limit
- PFOSPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Reported level13 ng/Llimit 4 ng/L · 3.3× the limit
- NitrateInorganic chemicals · Reported level11 mg/Llimit 10 mg/L · 1.1× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in Glendale, 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.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
● Over EPA limit (4.0×)Measured 15.8 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (3.7×)Measured 14.8 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitMeasured 5.5 ng/LEPA limit 10 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 11 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 16.9 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFHpA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 5.3 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 11.6 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 7
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 12.2 ng/LSample year 2024Samples 3 detect / 5
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, 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.
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
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.
No federal drinking-water violations on record for this system.
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 4.6 NTUReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | 1 NTUMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 200 mg/LReported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6 +2 more
| |||
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 2Reported levelMWD Jensen Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 535 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.3Reported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 1300 uS/cmReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4 mg/LReported levelMWD Jensen Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glendale Water Treatment Plant
| |||
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 865 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 11 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | 10 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.7 mg/LReported levelMWD Jensen Plant | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6 +1 more
| |||
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 170 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 225 mg/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3 +2 more
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.76 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 124 ug/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | 2000 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6 +2 more
| |||
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 5.6 ug/LReported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | None set | None detected |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 93 ug/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Weymouth Plant, MWD Jensen Plant, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 134 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 5.1 ug/LReported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6 +2 more
| |||
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 6 ug/LReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6 +2 more
| |||
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 48 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 1 ug/LReported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, MWD Jensen Plant, Glorietta Well 3 +2 more
| |||
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 5 mg/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6 +1 more
| |||
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 105 mg/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6 +1 more
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 7.45 pCi/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +1 more
| |||
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 0–5 pCi/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Weymouth Plant, MWD Jensen Plant
| |||
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 2 pCi/LReported levelMWD Jensen Plant | 20 pCi/LMCL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant
| |||
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Total | 1.25 mg/LAverageCitywide | None set | Within the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 3.1 ug/LAverageCitywide | None set | Within the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 22 ug/LAverageCitywide | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 3.8 ug/LAverageCitywide | None set | Within the limit |
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 2.4 ug/LReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | 1.05 ug/LReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | 5 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0.855 %AverageCitywide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Source: Glendale, CA's 2024 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, CA's water
+Is Glendale, CA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Glendale, CA water utility lists 4 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Turbidity, PFOA, PFOS, and Nitrate. 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, CA tap water?
38 contaminants were measured in Glendale, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and disinfection byproducts. 11 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, CA tap water?
4 contaminants in Glendale, CA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Turbidity (4.6× the limit); PFOA (3.3× the limit); PFOS (3.3× the limit); Nitrate (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 Glendale, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Turbidity, at 4.6× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Glendale, 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 Glendale, 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.
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