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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 90803 Water Quality & Testing Report

Long Beach, CA ยท Los Angeles County County ยท Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 90803 (Long Beach, CA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 90803 (Long Beach, CA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (65/100) due to 2 health violation(s) and 3.1 ppb lead. While treated by Long Beach Utilities Department, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair โ€” Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

2

Total Violations

19

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

2

โš 

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 7 unresolved violations. Contact Long Beach Utilities Department for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 90803

Tap water in ZIP code 90803 (Long Beach, CA) is distributed by Long Beach Utilities Department (EPA ID: CA1910065), serving approximately 466,772 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 65/100.

Water System

Long Beach Utilities Department

EPA ID: CA1910065

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

466,772 residents

County

Los Angeles County County, California

๐Ÿงช

Lead Levels in ZIP 90803

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 3.1 ppb โ€” Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 90803 is 3.1 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 90803 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 65% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
3.10 ppb (0.0031 mg/L)
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

265 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

65%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring โ€” meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
๐Ÿชจ

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard7.7 GPG ยท 131 mg/L

Water in ZIP 90803 is Hard (131 mg/L / 7.7 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

7.7 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

131 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Long Beach Utilities Department ยท PWSID: CA1910065

Verify on EPA.gov
๐Ÿ“‹

Violation History

Past 5 years โ€” EPA SDWIS data

Long Beach Utilities Department has recorded 2 health-based violations out of 19 total violations over the past 5 years. 7 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
19
Health-Based Violations
2
Unresolved Violations
7
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

โš—๏ธ

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 2 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Lead, Stage 2 DBP Rule.

LeadStage 2 DBP Rule

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) (7.4 ppt); Total-Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (46.2 ppb); Chloramines (2.18 ppm); Specific Conductance (1100 ฮผS/cm); Odor (2 TON)

โš– Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
๐ŸŒŠ

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Groundwater wells (60%) + imported surface water from Metropolitan Water District (40%)
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy โ€” indicator of older infrastructure

3.27%

EPA Radon Zone 2 โ€” moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 90803

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 90803 served by Long Beach Utilities Department can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • โ€ขTest for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • โ€ขTest for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • โ€ขSend samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by California State Water Resources Control Board.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in CA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

๐Ÿ›ก What Should You Do? โ€” ZIP 90803 Recommendations

  • โš  Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • โš  Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula โ€” use certified bottled or filtered water
  • โš  Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • โš  Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

๐Ÿบ

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide โ†’
โš—๏ธ

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions โ€” ZIP 90803 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 90803?+
Tap water in 90803 (Long Beach, CA) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 90803 (Long Beach, CA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 90803, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in CA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact California State Water Resources Control Board for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 90803?+
Tap water in 90803 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 131 mg/L (7.7 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 90803?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 90803 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 90803 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 90803 is 3.1 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 90803?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 90803. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 90803?+
Tap water in ZIP code 90803 is provided by Long Beach Utilities Department (EPA ID: CA1910065), serving approximately 466,772 residents.
What water filter should I use in 90803?+
Based on water metrics for 90803, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 90803 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Long Beach Utilities Department. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data โ†’