Tap Water Results

Is El Cajon, 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 Helix Water District.

4 public water systems serve parts of El Cajon. The largest, Helix Water District, serves 277,918 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Helix Water District

277,918 people · Surface water · EPA ID CA3710010

Buys treated water from Otay Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, City of San Diego, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Lakeside Water District.

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 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Helix Water District results

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.

El Cajon homes and lead pipes

68%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
5%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
59%
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 El Cajon city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving El Cajon

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Santee 4 mi
Helix Water District
Helix Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
La Mesa 4 mi
Helix Water District
Helix Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Lemon Grove 6 mi
Helix Water District
Helix Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
San Diego 10 mi
City of San Diego
City of San DiegoNone above limits0 ppb
National City 12 mi
Sweetwater Authority
Sweetwater AuthorityAbove limit0 ppb
Chula Vista 12 mi
Otay Water District
Otay Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
El Cajon ZIP codes (1)
  • 92020

Questions

Is El Cajon tap water safe to drink?

Helix 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 El Cajon, CA?

4 public water systems serve parts of El Cajon. The largest is Helix Water District (277,918 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does El Cajon tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Helix 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 El Cajon homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 68% of El Cajon 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. Helix 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.