01The verdict: is Independence water safe?
Independence's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (65.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,943 residents using groundwater (wells).
12 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓19 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Independence's drinking water received a grade of C+ (65.9 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,943 residents using purchased ground 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 25 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
Independence ranks #539 out of 690 cities in California for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Independence purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Independence may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 19 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Independence's water
Every contaminant flagged in Independence, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in California
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in California
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Independence's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 25 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
5 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 8 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Independence's water comes from
Independence purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,943 people
Residents served across Independence's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Independence's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,943 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| INYO COUNTY PWD - LONE PINE | CA1410009 | 1,835 | Purchased Groundwater |
| INYO COUNTY PWD - INDEPENDENCE | CA1410008 | 1,108 | Purchased Groundwater |
05Pressure on Independence's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
9 federal disaster declarations on record for Inyo County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Inyo County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Independence compares
Scores for nearby California cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = California average (57/100)
Independence scores 65.9/100 — above the California average of 57/100. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities. Full California rankings →
42.8 / 100FSan Jose, CA
28 / 100BOakland, CA
77.9 / 100FSan Diego, CA
39.7 / 100FSacramento, CA
31.2 / 100ABurlingame, CA
89.2 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Independence's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Independence's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Independence alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Independence, CA tap water safe to drink?
Independence's water quality earned a grade of C+ (65.9/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #539 out of 690 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Independence's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 25 violations are on record.
How is Independence'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 Independence?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Independence's water come from?
Independence's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,943 residents.
What health violations has Independence's water system had?
Independence has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 violations remain unresolved.
Is Independence's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Independence uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 25 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Independence's water compare to other cities?
Independence ranks #539 out of 690 cities in California (better than 22% of state cities) and #11274 out of 15382 cities nationally (27th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.