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Pala, CA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Pala, CA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Pala's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Pala North PWSID: 090605153 Updated: 2026 Q2
⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points

Lead is 1.00 ppb, 7% of the action level. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 1.41 times the limit.

F

Pala earns an F for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 1.00 ppb — 7% of the federal action level
PFAS above the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points
20 violations since 2015, 16 health-based
5 violations currently open
Pala's lead level vs. all California community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 1.00 ppb — 7% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 90% of California utilities
Population Served
912
~400 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
5
5 open of 20 since 2015

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
7% of EPA action level
1.00 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
Copper (Cu)
90th percentile of tap samples. SDWIS reports a copper figure only when a system exceeds the action level, so any value here is an exceedance.
110.6% of EPA action level
1,438 ppb
Action level: 1,300 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 1.00 ppb, 7% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home. Copper reached the action level here; a copper figure appears in SDWIS only when a system triggers it.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2026 Unaddressed
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2026 Unaddressed
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2026 Unaddressed
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2025 Resolved
Nitrate MCL EXCEEDANCE 12.5 MG/L 10 mg/L 2025 Resolved
Nitrate MONITORING AND REPORTING — 10 mg/L 2022 Resolved
Nitrate MONITORING AND REPORTING — 10 mg/L 2021 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Unaddressed
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Unaddressed
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2019 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2016 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

5 violations remain open, out of 20 recorded since 2015 (16 health-based).

About the Main Water System

Utility Pala North
PWSID 090605153
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 912
Service connections 400
Systems serving this area 5
Regulator US EPA (tribal primacy)
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pala tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points. 5 violation(s) remain open. Lead is 1.00 ppb, 7% of the action level.
Does Pala water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 1 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 1.41 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Pala? ▼
Pala North (PWSID 090605153), one of 5 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-06-04. Inspectors recorded 3 significant deficiencies.

What Should Pala Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Follow the open violation
This system has an unresolved violation. Contact the supplier for its corrective-action schedule.

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