Water Quality: Imperial, CA
5 water systems • 30,653 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Imperial is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 30,653 people, and has 85 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 64 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Imperial's violation count is 77% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Fecal Coliform, Stage 2 DBP, TTHM.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Imperial
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMPERIAL, CITY OF | CA1310006 | Surface Water | 21,591 | 47 |
| CALIPATRIA STATE PRISON | CA1310800 | Surface Water | 4,800 | 1 |
| CENTINELA STATE PRISON | CA1310801 | Surface Water | 4,100 | 32 |
| COYOTE VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO | CA1300514 | Groundwater | 125 | 3 |
| IID VILLAGE | CA1300588 | Groundwater | 37 | 2 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in California
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.