Water Quality in Pauma Valley, CA: 2 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 91/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Pauma Valley's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance record maintained by the EPA for Pauma Valley, CA documents 2 water violations — each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Pauma Valley
Water quality varies across Pauma Valley's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92061 | A | 91 | 2 | 0 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Pauma Valley.
Water Quality Overview
Pauma Valley, California receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 91 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Pauma Valley have accumulated 2 EPA violations (all monitoring/reporting type). These violations are tracked across 1 ZIP codes serving approximately 2,413 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Pauma Valley's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Pauma Valley water systems is 0.0012 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 62% of homes built before 1986, Pauma Valley 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 Pauma Valley
Pauma Valley is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 2,413 people across 1 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 9 enforcement actions against water systems serving Pauma Valley. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Pauma Valley
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Pauma Valley:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 |
Violations have decreased from 5 in 2023 to 3 in 2025, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 7 enforcement actions against water systems serving Pauma Valley. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-01-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-11-28 | State Filed Suit |
| 2023-04-18 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2022-10-26 | State Filed Suit |
| 2022-07-05 | State Order Extension |
| 2021-05-07 | State Filed Suit |
| 2021-03-30 | State Filed Suit |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-01-10.
Pauma Valley vs. Nearby California Cities
How Pauma Valley's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pauma Valley | A | 2 | 5 | 2,413 |
| Lost Hills | B | 1 | 1 | 2,370 |
| Cedarpines Park | B | 0 | 1 | 2,458 |
| Bolinas | B | 0 | 1 | 2,483 |
Common Questions About Pauma Valley Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Pauma Valley, California:
Is Pauma Valley water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Pauma Valley's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Pauma Valley tap water? Pauma Valley's water receives a grade of A (91/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Pauma Valley? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Pauma Valley vs. California Average
Understanding how Pauma Valley 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 Pauma Valley.
ZIP Codes in Pauma Valley
Pauma Valley spans 1 ZIP code. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 92061. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.