Last updated: March 2026

If you live in Los Angeles, CA, your tap water contains 49 detected contaminants — many of which exceed health guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). While your water may be "legal," legal doesn't mean safe.

Every time you shower, your skin and hair absorb these chemicals through steam and direct contact. Here's exactly what's in your water and what you can do about it.

What's in Los Angeles's Water? 49 Contaminants Detected

According to EWG's Tap Water Database, water systems serving Los Angeles, CA have detected 49 contaminants across 3 water systems. Of these, 10 exceed EWG health guidelines — the science-based limits that actually protect your health.

Contaminants Exceeding Health Guidelines

Important: The EPA's legal limits (MCLs) are often decades old and don't reflect current science. EWG's health guidelines are based on the latest peer-reviewed research on cancer risk, reproductive harm, and developmental effects.

How Los Angeles's Water Affects Your Skin and Hair

You might think your tap water is only a concern when you drink it. But your skin is your largest organ, and studies show you absorb more chlorine through a 10-minute shower than drinking 8 glasses of the same water.

Here's what Los Angeles, CA water contaminants do to your body:

• Dry, itchy skin: Chlorine and chloramine strip your skin's natural oils, causing dryness, irritation, and eczema flare-ups
• Hair damage: Hard water minerals coat hair strands, making them brittle, dull, and prone to breakage and thinning
• Acne and breakouts: Chemical residues clog pores and disrupt your skin barrier, triggering inflammatory acne
• Color-treated hair fading: Chlorine is a bleaching agent — it strips hair color faster than anything else

Cancer-Linked Contaminants in Los Angeles Water

22 contaminants detected in Los Angeles, CA water are linked to increased cancer risk:

• Chromium (hexavalent) — cancer
• Arsenic — cancer
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) — cancer
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) — cancer
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — cancer
• Bromate — cancer

While these levels may be within legal limits, the EWG notes that legal doesn't equal safe. Many of these legal limits haven't been updated in 20+ years.

Where Do These Contaminants Come From?

The contaminants in Los Angeles's water come from multiple sources:

Your local water utility treats the water to meet federal standards, but treatment itself creates byproducts (like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids) that carry their own health risks.

How to Protect Yourself: Filter Your Shower Water

The most effective way to reduce your exposure to Los Angeles's water contaminants during showers is a high-quality shower filter. A carbon-based shower filter can remove or reduce 27 of the 49 contaminants detected in your area.

The Afina Filtered Showerhead ($99) uses a multi-stage filtration system including KDF-55 and activated carbon to remove:

• Up to 99% of chlorine
• Heavy metals (lead, mercury, nickel)
• Sediment and rust particles
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Chloramine and trihalomethanes

If you already have a shower head you love, the Afina Shower Filter ($47) installs between your pipe and existing shower head in under 5 minutes — no tools needed.

Los Angeles vs National Average

How does Los Angeles, CA water compare to the rest of the country?

• Total contaminants detected: 49 (national average: ~25-30)
• Contaminants above EWG guidelines: 10
• Number of water systems: 3

Los Angeles's water has more contaminants than the national average. Residents should be especially mindful of shower water filtration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Water Quality

Is Los Angeles tap water safe to shower in?

Los Angeles's water meets federal legal standards, but 10 contaminants exceed EWG's science-based health guidelines. A shower filter adds an extra layer of protection for your skin and hair.

What contaminants are in Los Angeles's water?

49 contaminants have been detected in Los Angeles, CA water systems, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Chromium (hexavalent), Arsenic, and more.

Does a shower filter help with hard water in Los Angeles?

Yes. The Afina Filtered Showerhead reduces hard water minerals, chlorine, and heavy metals that cause dry skin, brittle hair, and mineral buildup.

How often should I replace my shower filter in Los Angeles?

With Los Angeles's water quality, we recommend replacing the filter cartridge every 3-4 months (or every 10,000 gallons) for optimal performance.

Can Los Angeles's water cause hair loss?

Hard water and chlorine don't directly cause hair loss, but they damage the hair shaft, leading to breakage and thinning that looks like hair loss. Read more about filtered showerheads and hair loss.

Where does Los Angeles get its water?

Los Angeles's water comes from 3 water systems that source water from a combination of surface water and groundwater. The specific contaminant profile depends on local geology, agriculture, and industrial activity.

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