Whole home water filtration. West Hills, done right.

Why Chloramine Filtration Matters for West Hills Homes

LADWP switched from free chlorine to chloramine across the San Fernando Valley in 2014. Chloramine is more stable in the distribution system, which reduces the formation of some disinfection byproducts at the point of treatment. However, chloramine is more chemically aggressive on rubber gaskets, o-rings, and elastomers that were manufactured for free chlorine water supplies. In West Hills homes built between the 1950s and the 1980s, a significant portion of plumbing hardware predates the modern chloramine compatible specifications.

The more critical filtration issue is that chloramine cannot be removed with standard activated carbon media. Every refrigerator filter, countertop pitcher, and basic whole home filter sold before 2014 was specified for free chlorine removal. Those filters use a carbon substrate that breaks chlorine bonds but is ineffective against chloramine. Removing chloramine requires catalytic carbon, a different substrate that breaks the chloramine molecule through a catalytic reaction rather than adsorption alone.

Any whole home filter sold for the LADWP service area that does not specifically include a catalytic carbon stage is the wrong specification for West Hills water. For a complete technical explanation of how chloramine behaves in the distribution system and what filter certifications to look for, see our guide to chloramines in LADWP tap water across the SFV.

Source: EPA: Chloramines in Drinking Water

West Hills Water Quality Concerns: Full Picture

Chloramine and hardness are the baseline concerns for every West Hills home. Beyond those two, the LADWP western distribution zone carries additional parameters worth understanding before specifying filtration equipment.

1. 01

   Disinfection byproducts: TTHMs and HAA5s

   When chloramine reacts with organic matter in the distribution lines, it forms total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5s). These are regulated under EPA Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule. LADWP reports compliance values in its annual Consumer Confidence Report. Catalytic carbon filtration reduces these compounds at the tap. For sourced detail on the regulatory framework and what West Hills homeowners should know, see our guide to TTHMs and HAA5s in SFV tap water.

2. 02

   PFAS compounds

   California expanded PFAS monitoring and reporting requirements in 2023. LADWP monitors for PFAS in its source water and treatment processes. For West Hills homeowners concerned about PFAS, an NSF/ANSI 58 certified reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap is the most effective point of use treatment. For current reported detection levels and filter certification requirements, see our PFAS in SFV drinking water guide.

3. 03

   Lead and copper from interior plumbing

   LADWP water meets the federal Lead and Copper Rule at the treatment plant. Lead and copper in tap water typically come from interior plumbing and fixtures, not the distribution main. West Hills homes built before 1986 may have lead solder at pipe joints. Chloramine is more corrosive to older copper and lead plumbing than free chlorine, which can increase leaching from older fixtures. A point of use reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap is certified for lead reduction under NSF/ANSI 58. For sourced detail, see our lead and copper in SFV tap water guide.

West Hills Service Area and Neighboring Cities

We serve West Hills and all surrounding communities through the same licensed general contractor crew based in Woodland Hills. West Hills borders Canoga Park to the south and east, Chatsworth to the north, and Woodland Hills to the southeast. All of these communities receive water through the LADWP western distribution zone, with similar chloramine and hardness profiles.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions About West Hills Water Filtration

Does West Hills tap water contain chloramine?

Yes. LADWP switched from free chlorine to chloramine across the San Fernando Valley in 2014. West Hills receives water through the LADWP western distribution zone and uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant. Chloramine cannot be removed by standard activated carbon media. Any whole home filter specified for West Hills must include a catalytic carbon stage. Any filter without that stage is the wrong specification for the local water supply.

How hard is the water in West Hills, CA?

West Hills water runs approximately 6 to 8 grains per gallon depending on the seasonal groundwater and imported water blend in the distribution system. At that level, scale builds measurably in tank water heaters, dishwashers, and on shower glass. The threshold where scale affects appliance efficiency is around 3.5 GPG, so West Hills homes are well above it. Verify your specific meter reading at ladwp.com before sizing a softener or descaler.

What water filtration system does a West Hills home need?

At minimum, a whole home filter with a catalytic carbon stage for chloramine, paired with a cation resin softener or salt free descaler for the 6 to 8 GPG hardness load. For drinking and cooking water, an NSF/ANSI 58 certified under-sink reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap addresses dissolved solids, PFAS, lead, and disinfection byproducts that the whole home filter does not remove to drinking water concentrations. We free-test your water first and specify based on what we measure.

How long does a whole home water filtration install take in West Hills?

Most installs complete in a single day. We schedule in advance, pull any permit required under Los Angeles County code, and the licensed crew handles the main line connection, housing mount, media stages, and tap test in one visit. Same-day scheduling is available for most West Hills homes booked before noon.

What warranty covers a whole home water filter in West Hills?

A 5-year parts and labor warranty in writing covers every system we install. Equipment failures, connection failures, and media problems within the warranty window are covered at no cost. As a licensed general contractor, incidental plumbing and wall work at the install location falls under the same scope with no gap between equipment and installation warranties.