Water Quality in Long Beach, CA: 513 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 86/100 · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Long Beach's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Long Beach, CA has 513 violations in the EPA compliance history — breakdown below.
Water Quality Map: Long Beach, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Long Beach
Water quality varies across Long Beach's 27 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90803 | C | 65 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90805 | C | 65 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90804 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90806 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90807 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90808 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90810 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90813 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90814 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90815 | B | 70 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90809 | B | 73 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90822 | B | 73 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90831 | B | 73 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90832 | B | 73 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 90833 | B | 73 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Long Beach.
Water Quality Overview
Long Beach, California receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 86 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 2 water systems serving Long Beach have accumulated 513 EPA violations, including 54 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 27 ZIP codes serving approximately 466,792 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Long Beach's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Long Beach water systems is 0.0031 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 87% of homes built before 1986, Long Beach has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Long Beach
Long Beach is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 466,792 people across 27 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 270 enforcement actions against water systems serving Long Beach. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Long Beach
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Long Beach Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Long Beach's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 54 | 27 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 54 | 27 | Yes |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 0.01 mg/L | 27 | 27 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 27 | 27 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 27 | 27 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 27 | 27 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Long Beach:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 | 27 |
| 2024 | 27 | 27 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Long Beach. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-04-18 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-04-17 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-25 | State Filed Suit |
| 2025-02-06 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-07-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-06-13 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-05-28 | State Filed Suit |
| 2024-03-26 | State Filed Suit |
| 2023-09-21 | State Filed Suit |
| 2022-11-09 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-04-18.
Long Beach vs. Nearby California Cities
How Long Beach's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | A | 513 | 2 | 466,792 |
| Gardena | C | 0 | 3 | 458,800 |
| Irvine | A | 84 | 5 | 447,086 |
| East Irvine | C | 0 | 1 | 444,800 |
Recommended Water Filters for Long Beach
Based on contaminants detected in Long Beach's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Total-Trihalomethanes (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramines
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Long Beach
Water quality varies across Long Beach's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90803 | 65 | C | 19 | 2 |
| 90805 | 65 | C | 19 | 2 |
| 90804 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90806 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90807 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90808 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90810 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90813 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90814 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90815 | 70 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90802 | 75 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90801 | 75 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90899 | 73 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90853 | 73 | B | 19 | 2 |
| 90848 | 73 | B | 19 | 2 |
Common Questions About Long Beach Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Long Beach, California:
Is Long Beach water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Long Beach's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Long Beach tap water? Long Beach's water receives a grade of A (86/100). There are 54 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Long Beach? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Long Beach vs. California Average
Understanding how Long Beach compares to the broader California average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Long Beach.
ZIP Codes in Long Beach
Long Beach spans 27 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 90801. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.