Is Chiriaco Summit, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
87.4/100
waterverge.com Chiriaco Summit, CA — Water Quality Report
Chiriaco Summit's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 544 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.3 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 22 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Chiriaco Summit's water
Chiriaco Summit ranks #210 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Chiriaco Summit may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Chiriaco Summit, CA water safe to drink?
Chiriaco Summit's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 544 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Chiriaco Summit
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Chiriaco Summit's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.4/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4750). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3591). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Chiriaco Summit's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Chiriaco Summit's water system has 22 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Riverside County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1980. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Chiriaco Summit's water come from?
Chiriaco Summit's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 544 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Chiriaco Summit residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Chiriaco Summit's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Chiriaco Summit's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtRiverside County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Riverside County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1980. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Chiriaco Summit compares by contaminant
Explore where Chiriaco Summit ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Chiriaco Summit's water comes from
Chiriaco Summit's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 544 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Chiriaco Summit
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHIRIACO SUMMIT WATER DIST. | CA3301115 | 544 | SWP |
How Chiriaco Summit compares
Full California rankings →Chiriaco Summit's score of 87.4/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View California rankings →Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Chiriaco Summit's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Riverside
Frequently asked questions
Is Chiriaco Summit, CA tap water safe to drink?
Chiriaco Summit's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #210 out of 694 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Chiriaco Summit's water?
Lead was measured at 2.3 ppb (90th percentile). 22 violations are on record.
How is Chiriaco Summit's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Chiriaco Summit?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Chiriaco Summit's water come from?
Chiriaco Summit's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 544 residents.
What health violations has Chiriaco Summit's water system had?
Chiriaco Summit has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 6 violations remain unresolved.
How does Chiriaco Summit's water compare to other cities?
Chiriaco Summit ranks #210 out of 694 cities in California (better than 70% of state cities) and #4109 out of 15744 cities nationally (74th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Chiriaco Summit's small water system affect quality?
Chiriaco Summit's system serves approximately 544 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 22 violations on record.