Everyone deserves access to safe, high-quality tap water. In August, a published study sponsored by the Better Watts Initiative (BWI) found lead in some of the water samples their researchers took from locations in the Watts neighborhood, including at four Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles developments: Nickerson Gardens, Jordan Downs, Imperial Courts and Gonzaque Village. We want to assure our customers that LADWP does not have lead in its water distribution pipelines or service lines.
However, it is possible for lead to be found in tap water in some homes, due to corrosion that can occur in older plumbing or pipes located on private property that is not maintained by LADWP.
Since being informed of the findings, LADWP has met with HACLA, the Mayor’s office and the BWI study researchers to offer assistance in providing free follow-up water sampling services to affected households.
We encourage any affected residents to reach out to us to request voluntary water sampling. Affected customers can contact LADWP’s Water Quality Office at (213) 367-3182 or email waterquality@ladwp.com to request free in-home water quality testing. All customer information will remain confidential.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions related to the current water sampling effort in Watts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the source of the lead in the water cited in the study conducted by the Better Watts Initiative (BWI)?
The most likely source of lead is from the customers pipes or plumbing fixtures. In 2019, LADWP completed an inventory of all of its service lines, and no lead was found. In 2022, LADWP was designated by state water regulators as “Optimized for Lead and Corrosion Control.” LADWP is working jointly with the Housing Authority of the City of L.A. (HACLA), to perform testing at four public housing sites in Watts and will also be reaching out to the larger Watts community to offer educational and testing materials since the study indicated the majority of sites where lead in water was found were located in privately-owned homes. This will help to assess the presence of lead or other heavy metals in a more comprehensive manner.
What is considered actionable levels of lead?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has an “Action Level” for lead of 15 parts per billion (ppb) as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Lead and Copper Rule-Revisions (LCRR), where water systems must take expanded steps to mitigate lead corrosion of its utility-side pipes, if lead exceeds 15 ppb in more than 10% of the residences sampled from a designated sample pool.
The State of California has a reporting limit for lead of 5 ppb. Anything under that value is reported on state drinking water databases as “< 5 ppb” or “non-detect.”
What is the purpose of the LADWP mobile hydration stations set up at four HACLA public housing communities?
LADWP temporary mobile hydration stations are being provided to the four HACLA public housing communities in Watts as an alternative water source while water sampling and testing is performed. The hydration stations feature a multi-stage filtration system certified to remove lead and other contaminants.
What can I do to make sure my water is safe to drink if I think it may have lead?
Step 1: Call us to request free testing. Step 2: Run your tap for 1 minute before using your water for cooking or drinking. Step 3: If needed, visit our temporary hydration stations set up at Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts, Jordan Downs and Gonzaque Village. However, running your tap should resolve any concerns, since most causes of lead exposure come from pipes running from the customer’s meter to their home or within their home’s plumbing. Running water clears any debris from aging pipes that can lead to lead exposure.
What actions have been taken since the release of the Better Watts Initiative (BWI) Study?
We completed some initial utility-side testing of our distribution pipes with sample points chosen that were close to the locations with lead detections based on the BWI study map. The results were well below state reporting levels for lead.
We also collected initial samples from outdoor hose bibs from Jordan Downs, Imperial Courts, Nickerson Gardens, and Gonzaque Village on Tuesday, August 27. The results have been analyzed and all came back as non-detect for lead.
Additional testing is in progress at the four HACLA locations with individual household testing available on an as-requested basis.
How many test kits have been provided to HACLA?
We provided 170 test kits to HACLA housing representatives at Nickerson Gardens on Thursday, August 29. The kits can be used by HACLA to sample outdoor water sources as well as disseminate to residents for household testing.
Our lab technicians provided instructions and a demonstration to HACLA personnel who will be collecting the water samples. We plan on providing an additional 400 to 500 test kits to HACLA by September 6th.
How soon will results be provided once samples are tested?
Results of testing are available within five to seven days of samples being turned into LADWP.
What is the timeframe for testing to be completed?
The timeframe will depend on initial results and level of interest as participation from individual households is voluntary.
What happens if lead is detected from the samples?
If there is a detection, subsequent testing and field-testing tools would be utilized to determine the source(s) before a course of action can be determined.
Where will funding for lead remediation come from?
Funding sources have not been identified yet. Federal funds seem to be limited to replacement of service lines.
How will I be kept informed?
We will be joining HACLA at their scheduled resident informational meetings in the Watts community starting the first week in September, as listed below, to provide HACLA residents updates on progress and immediate next steps being taken.
How often is water testing conducted on LADWP’s water supply?
LADWP releases an annual regulatory publication called the Drinking Water Quality Report,
which is a report card on the quality of the drinking water LADWP provides to its customers. It contains information on our sources of water, monitoring, and testing results and how we meet drinking water requirements. In 2023, LADWP collected over 25,600 water samples, performed over 106,900 lab tests, and obtained measured results on 225,242 substances. The results confirm that L.A.’s water quality exceeds federal or state drinking water requirements.
Additional Resources:
Additional Information on LADWP’s Water Quality, Lead, and Home Plumbing
LADWP Water Quality Hotline: (213) 367-3182 or email waterquality@ladwp.com.
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