WaterVerge

Is Lone Pine Reservation, CA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

535 residents served 1 water system PWSID: 090600138
Overall Score
87.1 / 100
Violations
10 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#217 of 694 in California Top 27% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
87.1/100
waterverge.com
A- 87.1/100

Lone Pine Reservation, CA — Water Quality Report

Lone Pine Reservation's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 535 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.5 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 87 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Lone Pine Reservation's water

Lone Pine Reservation ranks #217 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Lone Pine Reservation relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Lone Pine Reservation may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
87.1 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
37.1/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Lone Pine Reservation, CA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Lone Pine Reservation's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 535 residents using groundwater (wells).

10
Active Violations
1.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Lone Pine Reservation

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lone Pine Reservation's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87.1/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
TROPICAL STORM HILARY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4750). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3592). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Lone Pine Reservation's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Lone Pine Reservation's water system has 87 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Sep 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2018 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 2017 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2017 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2016 Nitrate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Inyo County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1967. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

TROPICAL STORM HILARY
Hurricane FEMA DR-4750
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-3592
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4683

Where does Lone Pine Reservation's water come from?

Lone Pine Reservation's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 535 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Lone Pine Reservation residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lone Pine Reservation's water.

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Lone Pine Reservation'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 10% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

87
Total violations
6
Health-based
10
Active / unresolved
Sep 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

87 Total
10 Active
6 Health-based
77 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
29
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Consumer Confidence Rule
8
Nitrate Rule
6
Sep 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2000 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2018 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Jan 2017 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2017
Jan 2016 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2016
Aug 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2015
May 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2015
Apr 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2015
Feb 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2015
Jan 2015 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Showing 20 of 87 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Nov 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Inyo County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1967. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Nov 2023
TROPICAL STORM HILARY
Hurricane FEMA #4750
Mar 2023
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #3592
Jan 2023
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4683
Mar 2017
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4305
Jan 2011
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND DEBRIS AND MUD FLOWS
Flood FEMA #1952
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3248

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.5 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 3.5 ppb from 1997 (5.0 ppb) to 2022 (1.5 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Lone Pine Reservation compares by contaminant

Explore where Lone Pine Reservation ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
535
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Lone Pine Reservation's water comes from

Groundwater

Lone Pine Reservation's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by native american ownership and serves approximately 535 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Lone Pine Reservation

System Name PWSID Population Source
Lone Pine 090600138 535 GW
Regional Comparison

How Lone Pine Reservation compares

Full California rankings →

Lone Pine Reservation's score of 87.1/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Lone Pine Reservation (this city)
87.1
Oakland
77.9
San Diego
39.7
Sacramento
31.2
California avg
57
City Profile

About Lone Pine Reservation, CA

Wikipedia →

Lone Pine is a census-designated place (CDP) in Inyo County, California, United States, located 16 mi (26 km) south-southeast of Independence. The population was 2,014 at the 2020 census, down from 2,035 at the 2010 census. The town is located in the Owens Valley, near the Alabama Hills and Mount Whitney, between the eastern peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Inyo Mountains to the east. The local hospital, Southern Inyo Hospital, offers standby emergency services. The town is named after a solitary pine tree that once existed at the mouth of Lone Pine Canyon. On March 26, 1872, the very large Lone Pine earthquake destroyed most of the town and killed 27 of its 250 to 300 residents.

Economic Profile
$39,881
Median Income
$247,944
Median Home Value
$918/mo
Median Rent
5.1%
Unemployment
Community
45.6
Median Age
27
People / sq mi
21.9%
College Educated
64.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Lone Pine Reservation, CA tap water safe to drink?

Lone Pine Reservation's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #217 out of 694 cities tested in California.

What contaminants are in Lone Pine Reservation's water?

Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). 87 violations are on record.

How is Lone Pine Reservation'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 Lone Pine Reservation?

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

Where does Lone Pine Reservation's water come from?

Lone Pine Reservation's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 535 residents.

What health violations has Lone Pine Reservation's water system had?

Lone Pine Reservation has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 10 violations remain unresolved.

Is Lone Pine Reservation's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Lone Pine Reservation 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 87 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 Lone Pine Reservation's water compare to other cities?

Lone Pine Reservation ranks #217 out of 694 cities in California (better than 69% of state cities) and #4280 out of 15744 cities nationally (73th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Lone Pine Reservation's small water system affect quality?

Lone Pine Reservation's system serves approximately 535 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 87 violations on record.