Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
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 — 5 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 38
- Over federal limit
- 5
- Approaching the limit
- 3
- Worst contaminant
- Barium
- Service area
- CA
- BariumMetals · Reported level124 mg/Llimit 1 mg/L · 124.0× the limit
- UraniumRadionuclides · Reported level2023 pCi/Llimit 20 pCi/L · 101.2× 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×)near national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (3.7×)above national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitbelow national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)above national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHpA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (9.309999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Glendale, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 14 sources.
Source
- GLORIETTA · 3
- FOOTHILL WELL
- VERDUGO INFILT SYSTEM
- GOU GS-3 DISCHARGE
- + 8 more
Treatment
- GNOU - UV EFFLUENT
- GSOU - UV INFLUENT
- GSOU - UV EFFLUENT
- + 12 more
Distribution
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, 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: 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 |
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 |
MCAA worst: 2013 | 0.0026 mg/L | — | '13'14'18 |
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 |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 4.6 NTUReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | 5 NTUMCL | Approaching the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 865 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | 1000 mg/LMCL | Approaching the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, 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 | 1600 uS/cmMCL | Approaching the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 2Reported levelMWD Jensen Plant | 15MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Jensen Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6 +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
| |||
| 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 levelMWD Jensen Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Jensen Plant, Glendale Water Treatment Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4 mg/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— MWD Weymouth Plant, MWD Jensen Plant, Glendale Water Treatment Plant
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 5.1 ug/LReported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, Glorietta Well 3, 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 | 50 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6 +2 more
| |||
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 93 ug/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | 1000 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Weymouth Plant, MWD Jensen Plant, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 6 ug/LReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | 300 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6, MWD Jensen Plant +2 more
| |||
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 1 ug/LReported levelGlendale Water Treatment Plant | 50 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glendale Water Treatment Plant, Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6 +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
| |||
| 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, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +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 6, Glorietta Well 3 +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 Jensen Plant +1 more
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 225 mg/LReported levelMWD Weymouth Plant | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— MWD Weymouth Plant, Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3 +2 more
| |||
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 170 mg/LReported levelGlorietta Well 6 | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 6, Glorietta Well 3, MWD Weymouth Plant +2 more
| |||
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 2.4 ug/LReported levelGlorietta Well 3 | 6 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (5)— Glorietta Well 3, Glorietta Well 6, Glendale Water Treatment Plant +2 more
| |||
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 3.1 ug/LAverageCitywide | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
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 Jensen 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 | 5 %MCL | Within the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.25 mg/LAverageCitywide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
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 5 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Barium, Uranium, 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. 28 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?
5 contaminants in Glendale, CA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Barium (124.0× the limit); Uranium (101.2× 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 Barium, at 124.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the metals family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Glendale, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
3 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids, and Specific Conductance. 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, 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.