LOS ANGELES — Questions about water quality have residents like Destiny Rivera and others with the East Side Riders Bike Club in Watts going door to door encouraging neighbors to get their tap water tested.

The club is a grassroots organization hoping to keep youth out of gangs in the community through community service.

What You Need To Know

  • Earlier this year, a Better Watts Initiative study found lead-contaminated water in at least 20 taps in the area

  • The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said boiling lead-contaminated water will only concentrate the toxic metal

  • Now, LADWP is expanding its investigation to 30,000 homes in Watts with outreach for free water quality testing to find and remove the source of any contamination from older plumbing
  • Lead exposure can have health impacts on children, pregnant women and adults that range from cardiovascular issues, behavior and learning programs and premature birth, according to the EPA

Earlier this year, a Better Watts Initiative study found lead-contaminated water in at least 20 taps in the area.  

“We were already kind of concerned about having lead in our water. We just didn’t think it was super important, so we would drink bottled water. We would just boil the water but that’s not good,” Rivera said.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said boiling lead-contaminated water will only concentrate the toxic metal. Now, LADWP is expanding its investigation to 30,000 homes in Watts with outreach for free water quality testing to find and remove the source of any contamination from older plumbing.

“Between 1982 and 1987, the building code did allow for lead soldering and so if you have a home, particularly built in that [period], we’d love to get it tested,” said Kaushal Parbhoo, LADWP Water Quality Compliance manager.

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Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker said initial testing by the city and LADWP found lead-contaminated water coming from some hose bibs. McOsker said it’s important for all Watts residents to get their water tested and to make sure they aren’t paying a fee for the service.

“The Department of Water and Power will provide a free test. If there are people in the community who are walking and knocking and offering a service for a fee, it’s a scam,” McOsker said.

Lead exposure can have health impacts on children, pregnant women and adults that range from cardiovascular issues, behavior and learning programs and premature birth, according to the EPA. With fliers in hand, Rivera said it’s a concern residents should take more seriously.

“I want people to know about the effects that lead in your water can have and don’t just put it off,” she said.

Residents interested in testing their water quality can contact the LADWP Water Quality Hotline at 213-367-3182.