Southern California Water Quality FAQs

What is the definition of water quality?

Water quality is the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water that determine its suitability for specific uses like drinking, cooking, bathing, and appliance protection. Good water quality means your tap water is safe, clean, and properly balanced—free from harmful contaminants while maintaining pleasant taste and odor.

For Southern California homeowners, understanding water quality starts with recognizing that your water supply travels through an extensive distribution system before reaching your home. High quality drinking water should meet federal drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while also being free from aesthetic issues like mineral deposits, chlorine taste, or cloudiness.

What are the four types of water quality?

Water quality is commonly evaluated across four distinct categories:

Physical – color, clarity, odor, and taste characteristics that affect how water looks and feel
Chemical – minerals, pH levels, chlorine, metals, and contaminants present in your water supply
Biological – bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms that can impact human health
Radiological – radioactive elements found in the earth’s crust (rare but regulated by the EPA)

How do I know if my home’s water quality is safe?

A comprehensive water test examines all four categories of water quality to provide a complete picture of what’s flowing through your water pipes. Professional testing checks how your water looks and tastes, identifies minerals and chemicals present, detects bacteria or microorganisms, and screens for regulated contaminants against the maximum contaminant level standards.

Every year by July 1, your water utility mails a printed water quality report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), that details your water sources, detected contaminants compared to EPA standards, and any violations. This water quality report is your primary resource for understanding whether municipal treatment meets federal drinking water standards or if home filtration is needed.

What are primary drinking water contaminants I should worry about?

Primary drinking water contaminants are EPA-regulated substances that can directly impact human health. When these contaminants are present in your water, a water filtration system is strongly recommended to protect your family.

Key contaminants that pose a health concern include:

Lead, particularly concerning in homes with older plumbing fixtures
Nitrates, often from agricultural runoff in local groundwater
Arsenic, a groundwater threat in parts of Southern California
Bacteria and pathogens, including E. coli and total coliform

What are common water quality problems in Southern California?

In the Southern California region, homeowners frequently encounter several water quality challenges shaped by local geology and infrastructure:

Hard water: high calcium and magnesium levels from local groundwater and water imported from the Colorado River create significant water hardness (typically 200-400 mg/L as calcium carbonate)
Chlorine taste and odor: a byproduct of the treatment process used by the Metropolitan Water District and local water agencies
Total dissolved solids: mineral-rich water sources contribute to elevated TDS levels
Sediment: aging infrastructure in older neighborhoods can introduce particles into tap water
Discolored water: occasionally yellow water or rusty appearance from disturbed water pipes

Water quality solutions should always be tailored to local conditions and your home’s specific plumbing system.

What is the healthiest way to purify water at home?

The healthiest option depends on your water source and specific concerns. However, for most Southern California homes, the following options improve safety, taste, and balance:

Whole-home filtration: improves water quality for bathing, protects appliances like your water heater, and safeguards plumbing
Reverse osmosis (RO): provides the highest level of purification for drinking water
RO with remineralization: offers exceptionally clean water plus essential minerals for optimal hydration

Is reverse osmosis water good for you?

Yes, reverse osmosis water is very safe to drink. RO systems remove up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, nitrates, PFAS (emerging “forever chemicals”), chlorine, and dissolved solids. Many homeowners choose RO systems for their exceptional purity, particularly given more stringent reporting requirements revealing trace contaminants in municipal supplies.

What are the downsides of reverse osmosis?

While reverse osmosis is one of the most effective ways to purify drinking water, there are a few factors Southern California homeowners should consider. Because the treatment process is so thorough, RO systems remove beneficial minerals along with contaminants, which can affect taste and hydration.

Some people notice the water tastes slightly “flat” without those minerals present, and traditional systems do produce a small amount of wastewater during filtration. Today’s modern RO systems that incorporate remineralization are built to address these issues while still delivering high quality water.

Why am I thirsty after drinking reverse osmosis water?

Pure RO water contains very few minerals, which help your body absorb water efficiently. Minerals like calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients that support proper hydration at the cellular level. Without them, hydration may feel incomplete, leaving you thirsty even after drinking.

That’s why we recommend remineralized RO systems for optimal hydration—especially for active Southern California families.

How do you remineralize RO water?

To create water that’s both clean and biologically compatible with your body, RO water can be remineralized through several methods:

Adding a remineralization filter cartridge to your existing system
Reintroducing calcium, magnesium, and potassium in proper proportions
Balancing pH for improved taste and enhanced hydration

Is there anything better than reverse osmosis?

For drinking water, reverse osmosis with remineralization is widely considered the gold standard. For whole-home use, pairing RO with carbon filtration and a water softener (if needed) provides a complete water quality solution that addresses everything from your shower heads to your hot water heater.

Is RO water hard on the kidneys?

There is no scientific evidence showing that RO water harms kidney function. In fact, removing contaminants like heavy metals and arsenic can reduce stress on the body’s filtration systems. Remineralized RO water offers added balance for long-term, everyday use.

What is the healthiest type of filtered water?

Most experts agree that the healthiest option is reverse osmosis water with added minerals. It combines maximum contaminant removal with improved taste and proper mineral balance for hydration, addressing both public health concerns and everyday drinking pleasure.

What cannot be removed by reverse osmosis?

RO removes most contaminants, but it does not remove:

Certain dissolved gases (like radon)
Some volatile organic compounds without carbon pre-filters

By having your water tested and designing a system specifically for your home, professionals can recommend the most effective filtration device—whether that’s reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, or a whole-home water system—so you get clean, balanced water without guesswork.

What is the healthiest type of filter water: carbon, RO, or pitcher filters?

Pitcher filters (like Brita). Improve taste but offer limited contaminant removal.
Carbon filters. Reduce chlorine and odors effectively.
Reverse osmosis. The most complete purification system available for residential use.

For Southern California water quality challenges, RO systems typically provide the most comprehensive protection.

Why do homeowners stop using pitcher filters?

Homeowners often upgrade from pitcher filters to whole-home or under-sink water systems because of several limitations:

Limited contaminant removal capabilities compared to RO
Frequent and costly cartridge changes
Doesn’t address hard water or whole-home plumbing concerns
Bottled water becomes an expensive alternative that bottled water suppliers profit from unnecessarily

How can I tell if my home has hard water?

The most reliable way to confirm hard water is through professional water testing, which can identify mineral levels and determine whether a water softener is the right solution.

If you’re noticing any of these issues, hard water may be the cause:

White or chalky mineral deposits on faucets, faucet aerators, and shower heads
Soap and shampoo that don’t lather well in cold water or hot water
Spotting or film left on dishes and glassware (even with rinse agent in the rinse cycle)
Dry skin or dull, brittle hair after bathing
Reduced efficiency or buildup inside appliances like your hot water heater and dishwasher

Water hardness refers to the concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium—a significant concern throughout Southern California and Orange County.

What does a water softener do, and how does it improve water quality?

A water softener removes calcium and magnesium (the minerals that cause hard water) from your water supply, converting it to soft water. This helps prevent scale buildup, improves soap performance, and protects plumbing and appliances from premature wear.

While a water softener doesn’t filter contaminants like bacteria or lead, it plays an important role in overall water quality and system efficiency. Many Southern California homeowners find that softening extends appliance life and reduces energy costs by 20-30%.

Can a water softener help with hard water buildup on fixtures and appliances?

Yes. Water softeners reduce hard water minerals that cause scale buildup on faucets, shower heads, and inside appliances. You can clean existing buildup with white vinegar or diluted chlorine bleach solutions.

By preventing new mineral deposits, a softener helps plumbing fixtures stay cleaner, improves appliance efficiency, and extends the life of water pipes and household systems. This is especially beneficial for homes throughout Southern California where water from the Colorado River and local wells contributes to elevated water hardness.

Should I test my water before choosing a system?

Absolutely. At Nexgen, we rely on detailed water testing to guide every recommendation. By analyzing your water’s mineral content, contaminants, and overall quality, we can determine whether filtration, softening, reverse osmosis, or a combination is the right fit for your home.

A professional water test provides insight into:

Contaminants present in your water supply
Mineral levels and water hardness
Proper filtration needs based on your specific situation
Whether your water meets Environmental Protection Agency EPA standards

Don’t rely on guesswork when it comes to your family’s drinking water. Get your water tested by professionals who understand Southern California’s unique water quality challenges.