Pauma Valley Water Company
What EPA’s and California’s records show in this utility’s water: nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; lead and copper; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 185 people
- Connections
- 75
- Water source
- Groundwater
- Based in
- Pauma Valley, CA
- County
- San Diego
- Owner
- Private
- Hardness
- Very hard
The short answer
2 results are above EPA’s legal limit, and 3 more are above the health goal. The worst: Nitrate, above the legal limit. 53 health-based violations since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
Lead and copper: EPA SDWIS monitoring periods ending 2014 to 2024.
Nitrate, haloacetic acids (HAA5), arsenic, uranium, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), fluoride and chromium (total): California’s own results, samples taken from Jan. 7, 2020 to July 1, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
Above the legal limit2
Nitrate
Comes from the source
25ppm
Highest sample; found in 256 of 263
2026 average: 11.1 ppm
From 2020 to 2026, at least 25 samples were above EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm, the highest 25 ppm in 2024. The next sample at the same point, within 30 days, kept the average above the limit for six; 19 have no follow-up sample on file within 30 days. In 2026, the latest year on file, its 21 samples averaged 11.1 ppm, above the limit. EPA recorded violations for nitrate at this utility in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 26 ppm, in 2019, and EPA recorded violations in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
65.9ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 2.0 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 65.9 ppb, in 2023, above EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. Its highest single sample was 197 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its four samples averaged 2.0 ppb. EPA recorded a violation for haloacetic acids (HAA5) at this utility in 2023.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
Above the health goal3
Arsenic
Comes from the source
6.6ppb
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2025
2025, one sample: 5.4 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 6.6 ppb, in 2022: below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. In 2025, the latest year on file, its one sample was 5.4 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 8.1 ppb, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
Uranium
Comes from the source
9.8ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020
Averaged by year, the highest was 9.8 ppb, in 2020: below EPA’s legal limit of 30 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. That is the only year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 7.0 ppb, in 2019.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Uranium”
Lead
Comes from pipes, often your own
2.7ppb
90th percentile, 2022 to 2024
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 2.7 ppb, below EPA’s action level of 15 ppb. The action level drops to 10 ppb on Nov. 1, 2027. EPA’s health goal for lead is zero.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Lead Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Lead Reduction”
Below EPA’s limits2
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
40.8ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 2.3 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 40.8 ppb, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. Its highest single sample was 107 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its four samples averaged 2.3 ppb. EPA recorded no violation for total trihalomethanes (TTHM) at this utility since 2020.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
Fluoride
Forms or is added in treatment
0.3ppm
Highest yearly average, 2021 to 2025
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.3 ppm, in 2025, below EPA’s legal limit of 4.0 ppm. Its highest single sample was 0.59 ppm. That was also the latest year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 0.41 ppm, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Fluoride Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Fluoride”
One compound tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
- Chromium (total)
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge), Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction, Lead Reduction
For: Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (III) (50 ppb influent level)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction, Uranium, Lead Reduction
For: Nitrate, Arsenic, Uranium, Lead
Other certifiers’ wording: Nitrate; Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=300 ppb Reduction; Arsenic (V) (300 ppb influent level)
At the tap, or for the whole house?
Lead and copper usually come from pipes and fixtures inside or near your home. A whole-house system sits where water enters, so it cannot catch what your own plumbing adds after it. For those, the filter that counts is the one at the tap. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead
Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2)
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Nitrate, Arsenic, Lead
Culligan 10-Cup Pitcher with ZeroWater Technology (ZEROP10)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Nitrate, Lead
Brondell Capella RC250 Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Arsenic, Lead
Hardness
Very hard, typically 480 mg/L (28.1 grains per gallon), across 9 sampling points, 2019 to 2025.
Hardness is calcium and magnesium. EPA sets no limit for it: it shows up as scale on fixtures and in water heaters, and as soap that won’t lather. USGS calls water above 60 mg/L moderately hard, above 120 hard and above 180 very hard.
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Jan. 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026 | 21 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026 | 180 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Oct. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | 19 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | 0.11 UG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2025 | 0.067 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | July 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2025 | 23 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 | 15 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Jan. 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 | 14.8 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Oct. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024 | 17 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2024 | 0.063 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | July 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2024 | 16 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 | 17 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 | 0.059 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 | 29 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Jan. 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 | 25 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023 | 190 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Oct. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023 | 17 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2023 | 200 UG/L | Archived |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2023 | 91.2 UG/L | Resolved |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | July 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2023 | 17 MG/L | Archived |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2023 | 63.7 UG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 72.9 UG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 85.5 UG/L | Resolved |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 18 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 130 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 18 MG/L | Archived |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 81.4 UG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 66.3 UG/L | Resolved |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 95 UG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022 | 130 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Oct. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022 | 14 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 | 110 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 | 15 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 | 11 MG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 | 120 UG/L | Archived |
| Selenium | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 | 110 UG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 | 13 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 | 22 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | 16 MG/L | Archived |
| Nitrate | A sample was above the legal limit, for a contaminant judged one sample at a time.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Single Sample | Jan. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 | 17 MG/L | Archived |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 9 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Nitrate, haloacetic acids (HAA5), arsenic, uranium, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), fluoride and chromium (total) results here are California’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Pauma Valley Water Company’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; California’s results run from Jan. 7, 2020 to July 1, 2026.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs California certifies closest to the area Pauma Valley Water Company serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
Applied Industrial Microbiology, Inc.
Vista, CA · about 19 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate
Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc. - San Diego
Vista, CA · about 21 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, minerals and other inorganics
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
San Diego, CA · about 36 miles
Certified for bacteria
Sources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, results from Jan. 1, 2020 to July 17, 2026, read Oct. 8, 2026
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: California State Water Resources Control Board, ELAP accredited laboratories and their fields of accreditation, read Oct. 17, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Hardness: California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, results from Aug. 6, 2019 to April 9, 2025, read Oct. 10, 2026
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID CA3700934. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 5 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with Nitrate
- Get the utility’s own reportPauma Valley Water Company must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs