Park WC - Compton

Compton's water system was engineered for maximum flexibility. The city maintains strategically located active wells throughout Compton and has multiple imported water contracts. This design ensures that during emergencies, droughts, or other unusual conditions, we can adjust our water sources as needed.

Please note that surface water imported by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) combines State Water Project supplies from northern California with Colorado River Aqueduct water. During 2015, your water was 100% groundwater drawn from the Central Basin aquifer.

Understanding Municipal Water Contaminants
Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal and human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, either naturally occurring or from urban runoff, industrial discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA and California Division of Drinking Water (DDW) enforce regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. DDW rules also establish limits for bottled water contaminants to provide equivalent public health protection.

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Water Fluoridation
Fluoride has been added to U.S. water supplies since 1945. Of the 50 largest U.S. cities, 43 fluoridate their water. In December 2007, MWD joined many public water suppliers in adding fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Following recommendations from the DDW and CDC, MWD adjusts the natural fluoride in Colorado River and State Project water to the optimal range of 0.7 to 0.8 parts per million. Our local groundwater is not supplemented with fluoride. California regulations limit fluoride to a maximum of 2 parts per million.

1. How often is Compton municipal water tested?
2. What causes water hardness in the Compton area?
3. How can residents reduce exposure to detected contaminants?
4. Are water filters effective against the specific contaminants found in Compton water?
5. What health risks are associated with nitrates in municipal water?