01The verdict: is Palomar Mtn Road water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Palomar Mtn Road's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95.7/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 13,050 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Palomar Mtn Road's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓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 ↓1 violation 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 ↓Palomar Mtn Road's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 13,050 residents using groundwater.
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 8 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Palomar Mtn Road ranks #31 out of 690 cities in California for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Palomar Mtn Road 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.
02What's in Palomar Mtn Road's water
Every contaminant flagged in Palomar Mtn Road, 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
03Palomar Mtn Road'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 8 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
8 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 0 ppb since 2024. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Palomar Mtn Road's water comes from
Palomar Mtn Road's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under private ownership.
13,050 people
Residents served across Palomar Mtn Road's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 13,050 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PALOMAR CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE CENTER | CA3701982 | 13,050 | Groundwater |
05How Palomar Mtn Road compares
Scores for nearby California cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = California average (57/100)
Palomar Mtn Road scores 95.7/100 — above the California average of 57/100. It outscores 10 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.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Palomar Mtn Road's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Palomar Mtn Road'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 Palomar Mtn Road alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Palomar Mtn Road, CA tap water safe to drink?
Palomar Mtn Road's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #31 out of 690 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Palomar Mtn Road's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.
How is Palomar Mtn Road'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 Palomar Mtn Road?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Palomar Mtn Road's water come from?
Palomar Mtn Road's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 13,050 residents.
What health violations has Palomar Mtn Road's water system had?
Palomar Mtn Road has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Palomar Mtn Road's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Palomar Mtn Road 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 8 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 Palomar Mtn Road's water compare to other cities?
Palomar Mtn Road ranks #31 out of 690 cities in California (better than 96% of state cities) and #277 out of 15382 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.