Tap Water Results

Is Desert Hot Springs, CA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Mission Springs Water District.

Mission Springs Water District supplies Desert Hot Springs (43,484 people).

Water system

Mission Springs Water District

43,484 people · Groundwater · EPA ID CA3310008

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across California, 129 of 691 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. California results.

Desert Hot Springs homes and lead pipes

33%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
2%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
49%
of households rent (California 44%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Desert Hot Springs city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Cathedral City 10 mi
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove Community
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove CommunityNone above limits0 ppb
Palm Springs 11 mi
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove Community
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove CommunityNone above limits0 ppb
Palm Desert 18 mi
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove Community
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove CommunityNone above limits0 ppb
Banning 20 mi
City of Banning
City of BanningNone above limits0 ppb
Indio 23 mi
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove Community
Coachella Valley Water District – Cove CommunityNone above limits0 ppb
Beaumont 24 mi
Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District
Beaumont Cherry Valley Water DistrictNone above limits7.8 ppb
Desert Hot Springs ZIP codes (1)
  • 92240

Questions

Is Desert Hot Springs tap water safe to drink?

Mission Springs Water District has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Desert Hot Springs, CA?

Mission Springs Water District, which serves 43,484 people.

Does Desert Hot Springs tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Mission Springs Water District had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Desert Hot Springs homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 33% of Desert Hot Springs homes as built before 1980 (California: 56%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Mission Springs Water District's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.