Vandenberg AFB, CA tap water
Supplied by American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb. Here's what its water means for your fish.
Disinfectant
Chloramine
Your water is treated with chloramine. Unlike chlorine, it doesn't gas off when water sits out, and many pitcher and fridge filters aren't rated to remove it. Conditioners that list chloramine on the label break it apart, which frees a little ammonia. Some utilities switch to plain chlorine for a few weeks a year.
Safety for fish and shrimp
Nitrate (NO₃)
Supplier's figure1.1 ppm (Low)
Low, so water changes lower your tank's nitrate well.
From the utility that supplies yours: Central Coast Water Authority, which supplies American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb (2023–2025).
Copper at home taps
0.05 ppm (Low)
Low. Water that sits in household pipes overnight can carry more than this.
From California Water Board lab results (2023–2026).
Water chemistry
General hardness
Supplier's figure87 ppm
Moderately soft to medium. Suits most community fish and plants.
From the utility that supplies yours: Central Coast Water Authority, which supplies American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb (2023–2025).
Carbonate hardness (alkalinity)
Supplier's figure66 ppm
Moderate buffering. pH should stay fairly steady.
From the utility that supplies yours: Central Coast Water Authority, which supplies American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb (2023–2025).
pH
Supplier's figure8.1
Alkaline. Many utilities raise pH to protect pipes. Stability matters more than the exact number.
From the utility that supplies yours: Central Coast Water Authority, which supplies American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb (2023–2025).
Total dissolved solids
Supplier's figure260 ppm
A rough measure of everything dissolved in the water. RO water reads near 0, so TDS is a quick way to compare waters.
From the utility that supplies yours: Central Coast Water Authority, which supplies American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb (2023–2025).
Who supplies Vandenberg AFB, CA
American Water O&m, LLC - Vsfb
Serves 99% of residents · Buys water from Central Coast Water Authority · Chloramine
Our data comes from public records and is still incomplete. Many utilities don't publish every number, so we're adding more all the time. Your city's range is a starting point: testing your own tap is the only way to know exactly what's in it.
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Compiled by Shoal & Stem from public records. Free to cite with a link.