WaterVerge

Is Pine Mountain Club, 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: CA1510028
Overall Score
86.1 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#244 of 694 in California Top 31% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.1/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.1/100

Pine Mountain Club, CA — Water Quality Report

Pine Mountain Club's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,200 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 11.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 15 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Pine Mountain Club's water

Pine Mountain Club ranks #244 out of 694 cities in California for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Pine Mountain Club 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.

While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.1 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.1/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
13/20
C
Lead at 11.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Pine Mountain Club, CA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Pine Mountain Club's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (86.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,200 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
11.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Pine Mountain Club

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pine Mountain Club's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.1/100).

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

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Pine Mountain Club's water supply.

Lead Elevated
Detected: 11.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection.

Violation history

Pine Mountain Club's water system has 15 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2012 Arsenic Resolved
Apr 2012 Arsenic Resolved
Jan 2012 Arsenic Resolved
Oct 2011 Arsenic Resolved
Jul 2011 Arsenic Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Kern County has experienced 10 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, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4305

Where does Pine Mountain Club's water come from?

Pine Mountain Club's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,200 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Pine Mountain Club 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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Pine Mountain Club'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
Near Limit
11.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 73% of limit
Near LimitFilter: NSF-53
Compliance Record

Violation summary

15
Total violations
9
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jul 2012
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

15 Total
1 Active
9 Health-based
14 Resolved
Violations by category
Arsenic Rule
9
Total Coliform Rule
2
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Nitrate Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2012 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2012
Jan 2012 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2012
Oct 2011 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2011
Jul 2011 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2011
Apr 2011 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2011
Jan 2011 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2011
Dec 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Oct 2010 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2010
Jul 2010 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2010
Jan 2004 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2004
Jan 2004 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2004
Dec 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003
Jan 2001 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Pine Mountain Club

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Pine Mountain Club, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ARCOSA LIGHTWEIGHT FRAZIER PARK PLANT
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · ARCOSA INC
FRAZIER PARK, CA93225
8.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Nov 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Kern County has experienced 10 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
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
Feb 1992
RAIN/SNOW/WIND STORMS, FLOODING, MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #935

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Pine Mountain Club's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🚰
For Lead
Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53-Certified Pitcher
Lead detected at 11.0 ppb
Read our guide →

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 11.0 15 ppb Inorganic Near Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.0 ppb from 1993 (10.0 ppb) to 2023 (11.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Pine Mountain Club compares by contaminant

Explore where Pine Mountain Club ranks among all California cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
2,200
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Pine Mountain Club's water comes from

Groundwater

Pine Mountain Club'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 private ownership and serves approximately 2,200 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Pine Mountain Club

System Name PWSID Population Source
MIL POTRERO MWC CA1510028 2,200 GW
Regional Comparison

How Pine Mountain Club compares

Full California rankings →

Pine Mountain Club's score of 86.1/100 is above the average of 57/100 among major California cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Pine Mountain Club (this city)
86.1
Oakland
77.9
San Diego
39.7
Sacramento
31.2
California avg
57
City Profile

About Pine Mountain Club, CA

Economic Profile
$48,828
Median Income
$345,006
Median Home Value
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
9.7%
Unemployment
Community
58.2
Median Age
50
People / sq mi
39.4%
College Educated
84.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Pine Mountain Club, CA tap water safe to drink?

Pine Mountain Club's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #244 out of 694 cities tested in California.

What contaminants are in Pine Mountain Club's water?

Lead was measured at 11.0 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.

How is Pine Mountain Club'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 Pine Mountain Club?

While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Pine Mountain Club's water come from?

Pine Mountain Club's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,200 residents.

What health violations has Pine Mountain Club's water system had?

Pine Mountain Club has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Pine Mountain Club's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Pine Mountain Club 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 15 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 Pine Mountain Club's water compare to other cities?

Pine Mountain Club ranks #244 out of 694 cities in California (better than 65% of state cities) and #4930 out of 15744 cities nationally (69th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Pine Mountain Club's small water system affect quality?

Pine Mountain Club's system serves approximately 2,200 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 15 violations on record.