Water Quality: Lake Isabella, CA
7 water systems • 594 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Lake Isabella is served by 7 public water systems with a combined service population of 594 people, and has 279 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 106 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Lake Isabella's violation count is 481% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Selenium, Stage 2 DBP.
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
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.
Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste
EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
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
Water Systems Serving Lake Isabella
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KERN VALLEY MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA1500252 | Groundwater | 132 | 25 |
| OAK KNOLLS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA1500465 | Groundwater | 123 | 13 |
| CLARK STREET COMMUNITY WELL | CA1502056 | Groundwater | 90 | 23 |
| KERNVALE MUTUAL WATER CO | CA1500364 | Groundwater | 75 | 10 |
| HUNGRY GULCH MWC | CA1500436 | Groundwater | 74 | 65 |
| FOURTH STREET WATER SYSTEM | CA1500449 | Groundwater | 56 | 39 |
| CYPRESS CANYON WATER SYSTEM | CA1502449 | Groundwater | 44 | 104 |
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.