Local resources

Long Beach Hard Water

How Hard Is Long Beach Water?

Long Beach’s water hardness depends on which part of the system you’re in. The Long Beach Utilities Department’s most recent water quality report shows the Blended Zone, which covers most of the city, averaging 76 ppm, or about 4.4 grains per gallon (range 66–100 ppm). The MWD Zone, served mostly by imported water, is much harder at an average of 220 ppm, or about 12.8 grains per gallon (range 100–300 ppm). Overall, Long Beach’s supply is about 71% local Central Basin groundwater and 29% imported water from the Metropolitan Water District.

Where Can I Get A Water Quality Report?

You can access Long Beach’s annual Water Quality Report. This is also known as a consumer confidence report, and provides detailed data on the composition of your municipal water annually.

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water in long beach, california

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Beach tap water safe to drink?

Yes, Long Beach tap water meets all state and federal safety standards. The Long Beach Utilities Department’s most recent water quality report did detect trace levels of some contaminants, including arsenic (up to 1.8 ppb), aluminum (up to 93 ppb), nitrate (up to 0.45 ppm), and uranium (up to 1.7 pCi/L), with the highest levels in the MWD Zone. All of these are well within regulatory limits.

Is Long Beach’s water hard?

It depends on where you live. The Blended Zone, which covers most of Long Beach, averages 76 ppm (4.4 gpg), which is moderately hard. The MWD Zone, served mostly by imported water, averages 220 ppm (12.8 gpg), which is very hard. This can cause limescale buildup on fixtures and reduce the efficiency of water-using appliances.

Does Long Beach’s water contain PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?

The latest report did not detect PFAS compounds in Long Beach water. However, given that PFAS are common in many water sources, residents looking for extra peace of mind often consider reverse osmosis or advanced carbon filtration systems to remove these contaminants.

Does Long Beach add fluoride to its water?

Yes, Long Beach has added fluoride to its water since a 1971 City Council mandate. The most recent water quality report shows an average of 0.72 ppm in the Blended Zone and 0.69 ppm in the MWD Zone, within state and federal guidelines.

What other contaminants are in Long Beach’s water?

The most recent water quality report identified trace levels of the following:

Aluminum (up to 93 ppb)
Arsenic (up to 1.8 ppb)
Copper (171 ppb, 90th percentile)
Lead (below the detection limit)
Nitrate (up to 0.45 ppm, MWD Zone)
Uranium (up to 1.7 pCi/L)
TDS (280–530 ppm average, by zone)

Where does Long Beach get its water?

Long Beach water comes from a blend of about 71% local Central Basin groundwater and 29% imported water supplied by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) from the Colorado River and Northern California via the State Water Project.

What is the pH level of Long Beach water?

The pH of Long Beach water averages 8.26 in the Blended Zone and 8.44 in the MWD Zone, which is slightly alkaline.

Should I use a water filter or softener in Long Beach?

Yes, due to hard water and trace contaminants, many residents use whole-house water filters, reverse osmosis systems, and softeners to enhance water quality and protect plumbing.

Does Long Beach water have a high total dissolved solids (TDS) level?

TDS levels in Long Beach average 280 ppm in the Blended Zone, which covers most of the city, and 530 ppm in the MWD Zone. The MWD Zone is above California’s recommended secondary standard of 500 ppm but under the 1,000 ppm upper limit, and higher TDS can affect taste. Reverse osmosis systems can reduce TDS for cleaner drinking water.