Deals
Don’t Miss Out
What’s In Your Santa Monica Water?
Get a FREE Water Test!
- No mailing — fast results!
- Test any tap in your home
- NEW flexible sample pickup options
Frequently Asked Questions for Water in Santa Monica, California
Where does Santa Monica get its water?
Yes, Santa Monica’s tap water meets all state and federal standards. However, trace contaminants have been detected, including arsenic (up to 2.8 ppb), barium (up to 91 ppb), nitrate (up to 2.1 ppm), and uranium (up to 3.2 pCi/L). While these are within regulatory limits, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes they may exceed their stricter health guidelines.
Is Santa Monica’s water hard?
Yes, Santa Monica’s water is classified as moderately hard to hard, with hardness levels averaging 65–337 mg/L (3.8–20 grains per gallon) depending on the source. Hard water can lead to mineral buildup on fixtures and affect appliance efficiency.
Does Santa Monica’s water contain PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
Recent testing did not detect PFAS levels above notification thresholds. However, PFOA (notification level 5.1 ppt) and PFOS (notification level 6.5 ppt) are listed as compounds of interest. Residents concerned about PFAS exposure often choose reverse osmosis or advanced carbon filtration systems for added protection.
Does Santa Monica add fluoride to its water?
Yes, fluoride is added to Santa Monica’s water at levels between 0.6–1.2 ppm, which is within both state and federal recommendations to help prevent tooth decay.
What other contaminants are in Santa Monica’s water?
The 2023 water quality report detected trace levels of:
- Arsenic (up to 2.8 ppb)
- Chromium (up to 1.9 ppb)
- Nitrate (up to 2.1 ppm)
- TTHMs (up to 50.2 ppb)
- HAA5 (up to 17.5 ppb)
- Uranium (up to 3.2 pCi/L)
- Barium (up to 91 ppb)
- Aluminum (up to 52 ppb)
Where does Santa Monica get its water?
Santa Monica’s water is sourced from local groundwater wells in the Santa Monica Basin (Charnock, Olympic, and Arcadia sub-basins) and from imported surface water supplied by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD).
What is the pH level of Santa Monica’s water?
The pH of Santa Monica’s water ranges between 7.5 and 8.2, which is considered neutral to slightly alkaline.
Should I use a water filter or softener in Santa Monica?
Because of hard water and trace contaminants like arsenic and TTHMs, many residents use whole-house filters, reverse osmosis systems, or water softeners to improve water quality, taste, and appliance longevity.
Does Santa Monica water have a high total dissolved solids (TDS) level?
Yes, TDS levels in Santa Monica range between 96–347 ppm, which is within California’s secondary standards but may impact taste and clarity. Reverse osmosis systems are recommended to reduce TDS levels for better drinking water.
Where can I get a local water quality report?
You can view the latest Santa Monica Water Quality Report from the City of Santa Monica here.
The Proof
Why Do Santa Monica
Homeowners LOVE Us?
Culligan’s soft water system made a huge difference in our home. My dishes are spotless, and my skin feels softer after every shower.
The team at Culligan was very professional and explained everything about our new whole-house filtration system. The water tastes cleaner, and the setup was seamless.
We’ve been using Culligan’s reverse osmosis system for months now, and the water is crystal clear and fresh. Installation was fast, and the customer service is excellent.
Facebook