Is Imperial Beach, 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 California American Water – Coronado.
California American Water – Coronado supplies Imperial Beach (106,000 people).
Water system
California American Water – Coronado
106,000 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA3710001
Buys treated water from Nas North Island & Nab Coronado Water System, Otay Water District, City of San Diego, Sweetwater Authority.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
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: 2 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1
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.
Imperial Beach homes and lead pipes
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 Imperial Beach city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| National City 7 mi Sweetwater Authority | Above limit | 0 ppb |
| Chula Vista 7 mi Otay Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Lemon Grove 12 mi Helix Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| La Mesa 15 mi Helix Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| San Diego 17 mi City of San Diego | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| El Cajon 18 mi Helix Water District | None above limits | 0 ppb |
Imperial Beach ZIP codes (1)
- 91932
Questions
Is Imperial Beach tap water safe to drink?
California American Water – Coronado had 1 health-based violation 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 Imperial Beach, CA?
California American Water – Coronado, which serves 106,000 people.
Does Imperial Beach tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. California American Water – Coronado 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 Imperial Beach homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 67% of Imperial Beach 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. California American Water – Coronado'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.