01The verdict: is Tule River Reservation water safe?
Tule River Reservation's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,560 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
28 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 5.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓42 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 ↓Tule River Reservation's drinking water received a grade of D (47 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,560 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.0 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 508 violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 28 remain unresolved.
Tule River Reservation ranks #626 out of 690 cities in California for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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, Tule River Reservation may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 42 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Tule River Reservation's water
Every contaminant flagged in Tule River Reservation, 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. | 5.0 | 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
03Tule River Reservation'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 508 violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 28 remain unresolved.
2 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 0.10 ppb since 1999. Latest reading: 5 ppb (2025) — 33% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Tule River Reservation's water comes from
Tule River Reservation's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under native american ownership.
2,560 people
Residents served across Tule River Reservation's service area.
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 native american ownership and serves approximately 2,560 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tule River Reservation Main | 090600156 | 2,560 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Tule River Reservation
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Tule River Reservation's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Tule River Reservation'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 Tulare County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Tule River Reservation compares
Scores for nearby California cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = California average (57/100)
Tule River Reservation scores 47/100 — below the California average of 57/100. It outscores 5 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
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Tule River Reservation's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Tule River Reservation'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 →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Tule River Reservation 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 Tule River Reservation, CA tap water safe to drink?
Tule River Reservation's water quality earned a grade of D (47/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #626 out of 690 cities tested in California.
What contaminants are in Tule River Reservation's water?
Lead was measured at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile). 508 violations are on record.
How is Tule River 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 Tule River Reservation?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Tule River Reservation's water come from?
Tule River Reservation's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,560 residents.
What health violations has Tule River Reservation's water system had?
Tule River Reservation has 34 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 28 violations remain unresolved.
How does Tule River Reservation's water compare to other cities?
Tule River Reservation ranks #626 out of 690 cities in California (better than 9% of state cities) and #13468 out of 15382 cities nationally (12th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Tule River Reservation's small water system affect quality?
Tule River Reservation's system serves approximately 2,560 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 508 violations on record.