Is my water safe to drink?

Yes. The District is proud to declare that its water surpasses even the most stringent state and federal water quality regulations. Your drinking water has passed rigorous sampling and testing procedures before it reaches your tap. In addition to extensive testing performed by Metropolitan Water District and Three Valleys Municipal Water District at their treatment plants, the District also conducts its own water sampling to ensure the quality of your water.

Where does my water come from?

While most of the water you receive originates in the Colorado River, a portion originates in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Metropolitan Water District imports water from these sources through the 242-mile long Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project's 444-mile long California Aqueduct. Raw water from these two sources is then treated at two filtration plants before reaching your home.

Should tap water be treated before it is used in a fish aquarium or pond?

Yes. To inhibit bacterial growth your drinking water contains chloramines, a disinfectant made from chlorine and ammonia that can kill fish. Chloramines can be neutralized by adding chemicals available at local pet or aquarium supply stores or by filtering the water through granular-activated carbon. Be sure to consult an experienced fish care expert to obtain advice about both methods and to determine how long the water must be treated to make it safe for fish.

Is my water considered hard?

There are dissolved minerals in drinking water such as calcium and magnesium that make the water hard. As the amount of minerals in the water increases, the water becomes harder. The water industry measures hardness in grains per gallon and generally considers water with a hardness that’s greater than 7 grains per gallon to be hard. Normally the water delivered to your home is in the 9 to 10 grains per gallon range but the hardness can be higher or lower depending on the water supply source.