Water Quality: Pauma Valley, CA
6 water systems • 2,555 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Pauma Valley is served by 6 public water systems with a combined service population of 2,555 people, and has 175 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 121 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Pauma Valley's violation count is 264% above the national average for California. Contaminants associated with violations include Arsenic, Bromate, E. coli, Nitrate-Nitrite, Selenium.
Contaminants Found
Long-term exposure increases risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancers, as well as cardiovascular and neurological effects.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, agricultural pesticides, industrial waste
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.
Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
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)
Causes methemoglobinemia in infants and may pose cancer risks with long-term exposure.
Common source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, animal feedlots, natural deposits
EPA limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
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)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Pauma Valley
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RANCHO PAUMA MUTUAL WC | CA3710012 | Groundwater | 899 | 0 |
| YUIMA MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT IDA | CA3700938 | Surface Water | 769 | 5 |
| YUIMA MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT | CA3701408 | Surface Water | 360 | 4 |
| RANCHO ESTATES MUTUAL WATER CO. | CA3700936 | Groundwater | 200 | 18 |
| PAUMA VALLEY WATER COMPANY | CA3700934 | Groundwater | 185 | 146 |
| LAZY H MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | CA3700937 | Groundwater | 142 | 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.