Lead Service Lines in Santa Monica
What you need to know
Santa Monica Water Division serves about 89,947 people. Like water systems across the US, the utility may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the main water line under the street to homes. Lead service lines can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes with older plumbing or in water that's corrosive to metal.
The status here: Santa Monica Water Division has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility doesn't yet have a public count of how many homes may be affected.
What's an inventory and why it matters
A lead service line inventory is a detailed map of which homes have lead pipes. Federal law now requires all US water systems to complete and publicly report these inventories. Once Santa Monica finishes its inventory, you'll be able to check whether your address has a known lead service line.
Until then, there are steps you can take right now to protect yourself.
What you can do today
Get your water tested. Contact Santa Monica Water Division directly and ask if they offer free or low-cost lead testing. Many utilities do. A simple test of your tap water takes a few days and costs $20–50 if you pay out of pocket.
Know your home's age. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines. If your home is older, assume caution is warranted.
Flush your taps. If water has been sitting in pipes overnight, run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking. Lead accumulates in still water.
Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water leaches more lead than cold. If you boil water for cooking, use cold water first, then heat it.
Ask your utility for updates. Contact Santa Monica Water Division to ask when their lead service line inventory will be complete and public. Asking for timelines helps utilities prioritize.
Health concerns
If you're concerned about lead exposure—especially if you have young children or are pregnant—contact your doctor or the CDC's lead information line at 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Santa Monica Water Division to request free or low-cost lead water testing
- Check your home's build year (pre-1986 homes carry higher risk)
- Start flushing cold water before drinking or cooking from taps that haven't been used for hours
- Ask the utility when its lead service line inventory will be publicly available
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Santa Monica have lead in the water?
Santa Monica Water Division hasn't yet completed a public inventory of lead service lines, so there's no official count of affected homes. Lead in drinking water typically comes from old lead service line pipes. Testing your tap water is the most direct way to know your home's status.
How do I find out if my house has a lead service line?
Right now, you can contact Santa Monica Water Division directly and ask them to check your address. Once the utility completes its lead service line inventory (required by federal law), that information will be public and easier to access.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica Water Division treats and monitors its water. However, lead can enter your tap water through old lead service lines or plumbing in your home. If you're concerned, get your water tested or call the utility to ask about their testing program.
How much does lead testing cost?
Many water utilities offer free or low-cost testing to residents. Contact Santa Monica Water Division to ask about their program. Private lab testing typically costs $20–50 per sample if you arrange it yourself.