San Diego County Water Quality: 201 Violations (CA)
36 water systems · 100 ZIP codes · Home Safety Score 90/100 (A) · 92 of 187 tracked ZIP records scored · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
Violation Trend
EPA violations across water systems in San Diego County.
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
San Diego County has 36 community water systems across 100 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 3,440,125 people. The available records contain 201 EPA violations, including 134 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 67% of all violations in San Diego County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 134 | 66.7% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 67 | 33.3% |
| Total | 201 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valley Center | 42 | 40 | 1 | 20,596 |
| 2 | Pauma Valley | 42 | 40 | 1 | 1,693 |
| 3 | Pala | 42 | 40 | 1 | 1,449 |
| 4 | Ramona | 23 | 4 | 1 | 37,397 |
| 5 | Escondido | 7 | 0 | 4 | 178,615 |
| 6 | Julian | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3,128 |
| 7 | Warner Springs | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1,410 |
| 8 | Santa Ysabel | 5 | 2 | 1 | 749 |
| 9 | San Marcos | 3 | 0 | 3 | 100,367 |
| 10 | Fallbrook | 3 | 0 | 1 | 50,905 |
Violation Trend
Year-by-year EPA violations across water systems in San Diego County:
| Year | Total | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2022 | 118 | 118 |
| 2023 | 71 | 71 |
| 2024 | 78 | 78 |
| 2025 | 19 | 19 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 67 | 4 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 22 | 7 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 12 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 4 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 3 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 2 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 1 | 1 | No |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (A) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in San Diego County
San Diego County is served by 36 community water systems, averaging 0.2 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in San Diego County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in San Diego County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 495 enforcement actions against water systems in San Diego County. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in San Diego County
Water quality varies across San Diego County's 100 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92061 | Pauma Valley | 42 | 40 | View → |
| 92059 | Pala | 42 | 40 | View → |
| 92082 | Valley Center | 42 | 40 | View → |
| 92065 | Ramona | 23 | 4 | View → |
| 92036 | Julian | 6 | 2 | View → |
| 92070 | Santa Ysabel | 5 | 2 | View → |
| 92086 | Warner Springs | 5 | 0 | View → |
| 92029 | Escondido | 4 | 0 | View → |
| 92028 | Fallbrook | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 92026 | Escondido | 3 | 0 | View → |
| 92021 | El Cajon | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 92064 | Poway | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 92009 | Carlsbad | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 92040 | Lakeside | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 92024 | Encinitas | 2 | 0 | View → |
| 91932 | Imperial Beach | 1 | 1 | View → |
| 92004 | Borrego Springs | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 92014 | Del Mar | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 92055 | Camp Pendleton | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 92058 | Oceanside | 1 | 0 | View → |
What are EPA health violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the legal limit designed to protect human health. San Diego County has 134 such violations. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. San Diego County has a score of 90/100 (Grade A) across 92 scored of 187 tracked ZIP records.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in San Diego County, California?
San Diego County has 36 community water systems with 201 recorded EPA violations, including 134 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does San Diego County have?
San Diego County has 201 total EPA violations across 100 directly mapped ZIP records. 134 are health-based.
Which city in San Diego County has the most water violations?
Valley Center has the most violations in San Diego County with 42 recorded EPA violations across 1 ZIP code.
What contaminants are found in San Diego County water?
San Diego County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in San Diego County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).