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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE • Updated October 2026
Grade A — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE has a clean recent record: no health-based violations in the last five years and no lead, PFAS or historical monitoring result that costs it more than a few points.
Yes — by EPA's records El Monte, CA tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on nitrate averaging 6.4 mg/l against a 10 mg/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (1 over the limit) and low-level PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes — by EPA's records El Monte, CA tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on nitrate averaging 6.4 mg/l against a 10 mg/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (1 over the limit) and low-level PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2025-02-28 to 2025-08-25) detected PFBA, PFPeA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE has 2 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 0 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 248,000 people (EPA PWSID CA1910039).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles PFAS, nitrate and improves taste.
Compare filter options for your El Monte tap water
PFBA, PFPeA were detected in El Monte's water at low levels in 2023–2025 EPA monitoring.
See the filters matched to El Monte's EPA results → — which certification actually removes what was found here, and what it does not touch.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. Older health-based violations (since 2016) are listed below for context.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR)Groundwater Rule | Treatment technique | 2019-06-01 → 2019-06-30 | Resolvedreturned 2019-06-30 |
| Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR)Groundwater Rule | Treatment technique | 2018-09-01 → 2018-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2018-09-30 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31), 90% of the homes SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE sampled had lead at or below 0 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 0.47 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 1.4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2006-01-01 → 2008-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2005-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2005-12-31 | 1.7 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2005-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2003-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2002-01-01 → 2002-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2025-02-28 to 2025-08-25 · 522 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFBA, PFPeA detected at low levels; no compound was at or above its federal MCL. Detections below the MCL are common in surface-water systems and are reported here exactly as EPA published them.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 18 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 18 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 18 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 18 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 18 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 18 | < 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFBA | 1 / 18 | 10 | 5 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFPeA | 1 / 18 | 5.6 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Nitrate (as N) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 3 | 2.6 µg/L | 2.8 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 3,1173114 detects | 6.375 mg/L | 10.848 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | 1 of 3117 samples over MCL |
| Fluoride | 3 | 0.297 mg/L | 0.33 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 30 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Uranium (combined) | 5 | 1.728 µg/L | 1.937 µg/L | 30 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 2,943278 detects | 0.31 µg/L | 15 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 15439 detects | 0.373 µg/L | 5.5 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 30 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 30 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving El Monte will follow up - no obligation.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE · 48,369 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines and has classified 100% of its 48,369 lines as non-lead. Lead can still come from pre-1986 plumbing and fixtures inside a home.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID CA1910039 · See all California lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Groundwater systems draw from wells; naturally occurring arsenic, nitrate, radium and uranium are the readings to watch, along with PFAS near industrial or military sites.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit El Monte homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your El Monte faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for El Monte households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What El Monte residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 91731, 91732, 91733). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for El Monte yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
El Monte ranks #94 of 163 graded California cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in El Monte's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records El Monte, CA tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on nitrate averaging 6.4 mg/l against a 10 mg/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (1 over the limit) and low-level PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 0 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2025-02-28 to 2025-08-25) detected PFBA, PFPeA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE has 2 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 0 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WATER CO.-EL MONTE reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 248,000 people (EPA PWSID CA1910039).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles PFAS, nitrate and improves taste.
PFBA, PFPeA were detected in El Monte's water at low levels in 2023–2025 EPA monitoring.
Best for Nitrate Removal
APEC Reverse Osmosis System
Reverse osmosis removes nitrate, which is unsafe for infants — the EPA-recommended treatment for nitrate (carbon pitchers don't remove it).
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Reverse osmosis systems for nitrate
Reverse osmosis is the EPA-recommended treatment for nitrate — browse Waterdrop RO systems built for it.
Shop Reverse Osmosis Systems →Whole-Home Filtration System
Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your El Monte water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for El Monte, CA.
Predicted indoor radon by ZIP vs. the EPA 4 pCi/L action level.
Arsenic and nitrate risk for homes on a well instead of city water.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.