LOS ANGELES (April 30, 2019)–The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is aware of the alarmist report released today by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) alleging that contaminants in California drinking water raise cancer risks.
In response to this report, LADWP Chief Operating Officer Marty Adams says, “I have a real concern when an organization puts out an unfounded report that causes alarm to our own customers about the quality of L.A.’s drinking water. This report from EWG is misleading and we want our customers to know that L.A.’s drinking water is safe, of the highest quality, and surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards.”
The EWG study acknowledges certain limitations to its scope and methodology. As such, the study findings are admittedly speculative and not based on any scientific studies.
LADWP releases an annual Drinking Water Quality Report, a consumer report required of all municipal water agencies by the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (CA-DDW). The results reported annually are based on rigorous testing of more than 220 regulated and unregulated contaminants, both man-made and natural, from more than 120,000 water samples taken throughout LADWP’s water system. LADWP complies with the standards adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the CA-DDW.
According to Adams, “California water agencies are subject to very strict water quality standards. Anyone living in an urban California city should be absolutely confident in the quality of the tap water.” He adds, “Although not the norm for California, it is important to note that there are a handful of small, mostly rural communities that may have challenges with contaminants in the drinking water, and the state is helping to address that.”
LADWP is the nation’s second largest municipal water utility serving a population of 4 million people. Through investments in major infrastructure projects, resource management and innovative water treatment processes, LADWP ensures the reliability and safety of the drinking water we serve to our customers. For more information: www.ladwp.com/waterquality
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