Water Quality in Imperial Beach, CA: 1 Violation - Grade N/A
1 water system · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 1 violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Imperial Beach. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Imperial Beach
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91932 | 1 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Imperial Beach, California has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 1 violation, including 1 health-based violation across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Imperial Beach water systems is 0.0020 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 75% of homes built before 1986, Imperial Beach has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 25,897 people across 2 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 2 enforcement actions against water systems serving Imperial Beach. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Imperial Beach
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 2 enforcement actions against water systems serving Imperial Beach. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-16 | State Filed Suit |
| 2023-09-30 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2023-10-16.
Imperial Beach vs. Nearby California Cities
How Imperial Beach's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Beach | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25,897 |
| West Hills | 1 | 1 | 3 | 25,823 |
| Yucca Valley | 1 | 22 | 5 | 25,782 |
| Venice | 1 | 0 | 1 | 25,738 |
Common Questions About Imperial Beach Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Imperial Beach, California:
Is Imperial Beach water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Imperial Beach's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Imperial Beach tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Imperial Beach? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Imperial Beach vs. California Average
Understanding how Imperial Beach compares to the broader California average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Imperial Beach.
ZIP Codes in Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach spans 2 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.