Is Long Beach tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Long Beach's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns including PFAS detected. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

66/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
8.5 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Long Beach

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Long Beach

Moderately Hard Water (8.5 GPG)

Hardness above 7 GPG can cause minor scale buildup.

Hardness data for Long Beach

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.4 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Long Beach
California

908,019,080,290,803 · Metropolitan Water District blend

Long Beach, CA Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 466,742 residents
See Best Filters for Long Beach
66
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
3.1 ppt
Lead
4.8 ppb
Nitrate
0.8 mg/L
Arsenic
0.4 mg/L
Hardness
8.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    At 8.5 GPG, Long Beach's water qualifies as moderately hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
  • 2
    PFAS have been identified in Long Beach's water at 3.1 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.

Score

66 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Long Beach tap water is sourced from Metropolitan Water District blend and treated by Long Beach Water Department. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is hard at 8.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 66/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Long Beach's 3 issues.

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Explore Long Beach Water Data

PFAS in Long BeachForever chemicals
Lead in Long BeachLead risk
Long Beach Hard WaterHardness data
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Long Beach Water FAQ

Is Long Beach CA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Long Beach tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 66/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 3.1 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Long Beach CA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Long Beach uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 0.9 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Long Beach CA water and what is the TDS level?
Long Beach water hardness is 8.5 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 370 ppm (poor). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Long Beach CA drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Long Beach water at approximately 3.1 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.
What is the best water filter for Long Beach?
Based on Long Beach's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Long Beach: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

BakersfieldCalifornia — 55/100RiversideCalifornia — 58/100San BernardinoCalifornia — 58/100Moreno ValleyCalifornia — 58/100FontanaCalifornia — 58/100Chula VistaCalifornia — 61/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Long Beach Water Department CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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