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Imperial County, CA Water Quality

Water quality data for 15 public water systems serving Imperial County, California — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 15 water systems · 16 cities
✅
Generally Safe — Most Systems Performing Well

The majority of water systems have no active violations and lead levels well below the federal action level.

B

Imperial County Earns a B

Imperial County: 16 communities across 15 water systems. 68.8% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 3.40 ppb
  • 3 communities with a lead detection, 13 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 1 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 68.8% of communities have no open violations
3.4 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
15
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
68%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • El Centro
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Calipatria
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Niland
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • El Centro Naval Air Facility
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Bombay Beach
    Not detected
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Salton City
    5.00 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    F
  • Westmorland
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Seeley
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Calexico
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
  • Winterhaven
    Not detected
    1 violation currently open
    C
County Lead Level — Median 3.4 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 3.4 ppb — 22.7% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
2
5 – 10 ppb
1
No Data
13

All Cities in Imperial County

El Centro Not detected B
Calexico Not detected C
Brawley Not detected A
Imperial Not detected B
Heber Not detected B
Holtville Not detected B
Calipatria Not detected A
Salton City 5.00 ppb F
Westmorland Not detected D
Seeley Not detected D
Niland Not detected A
Winterhaven Not detected C
El Centro Naval Air Facility Not detected B
Bombay Beach Not detected A
Palo Verde 3.40 ppb C
Ocotillo 0.70 ppb B
Showing 16 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Imperial County Drinking Water

Imperial County is served by 15 water systems covering 16 communities. 69% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 3 recorded a detection, with a median of 3.40 ppb — 23% of the federal action level. 13 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

No community here has PFAS above the federal limit on record. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 1 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Imperial County tap water safe to drink?▼
69% of communities have no open violation. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Imperial County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 3.40 ppb, 23% of the 15 ppb action level. 13 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Imperial County?▼
15 community water systems serve 16 communities here.
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