WaterVerge

Is Elizabeth Lake, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: CA1910056
Overall Score
91.9 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#98 of 694 in California Top 9% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.9/100
waterverge.com
A 91.9/100

Elizabeth Lake, CA — Water Quality Report

Elizabeth Lake's drinking water received a grade of A (91.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,790 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 7 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Elizabeth Lake's water

Elizabeth Lake ranks #98 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it above average 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, Elizabeth Lake may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.9 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.9/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Elizabeth Lake, CA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Elizabeth Lake's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,790 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Elizabeth Lake

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Elizabeth Lake's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Elizabeth Lake's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Elizabeth Lake's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2021 Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Resolved
Apr 2018 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2007 TTHM Resolved
Jul 2007 TTHM Resolved
Aug 1993 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Where does Elizabeth Lake's water come from?

Elizabeth Lake's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,790 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Elizabeth Lake residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

7
Total violations
4
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Dec 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

7 Total
1 Active
4 Health-based
6 Resolved
1 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
1
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Dec 2021 Resolved
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2021
Apr 2018 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
SNC Health Resolved Jun 2018
Oct 2007 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2007
Jul 2007 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2007
Aug 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1993
Jul 1993 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2000

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 14.0 ppb from 1993 (14.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Elizabeth Lake compares by contaminant

Explore where Elizabeth Lake ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,790
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Elizabeth Lake's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Elizabeth Lake'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 1,790 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Elizabeth Lake

System Name PWSID Population Source
LAKE ELIZABETH MUTUAL WATER CO. CA1910056 1,790 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Elizabeth Lake compares

Full California rankings →

Elizabeth Lake's score of 91.9/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Elizabeth Lake (this city)
91.9
Oakland
77.9
San Diego
39.7
Sacramento
31.2
California avg
57
City Profile

About Elizabeth Lake, CA

Economic Profile
$99,811
Median Income
$358,424
Median Home Value
$1,563/mo
Median Rent
8.7%
Unemployment
Community
38.9
Median Age
110
People / sq mi
22.4%
College Educated
87.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Elizabeth Lake, CA tap water safe to drink?

Elizabeth Lake's water quality earned a grade of A (91.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #98 out of 694 cities tested in California.

What contaminants are in Elizabeth Lake's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.

How is Elizabeth Lake'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 Elizabeth Lake?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Elizabeth Lake's water come from?

Elizabeth Lake's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,790 residents.

What health violations has Elizabeth Lake's water system had?

Elizabeth Lake has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

How does Elizabeth Lake's water compare to other cities?

Elizabeth Lake ranks #98 out of 694 cities in California (better than 86% of state cities) and #1453 out of 15744 cities nationally (91th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Elizabeth Lake's small water system affect quality?

Elizabeth Lake's system serves approximately 1,790 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 7 violations on record.