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Public water system record

Pala North

Serves Pala, San Diego County, CA · 14,280 people served

Federal records show 13 health-based violations and 4 monitoring/reporting issues for Pala North in the last ten years, including an unresolved Groundwater Rule violation.

  • 090605153
  • PALA
  • CA
  • 14,280 served

System profile

Source water Groundwater
ZIP 92059
EPA system ID 090605153

Verify this system on EPA ECHO →

Health-based violations, last 10 years
13
Resolved
11
Unresolved
2
Any acute record
Yes
Monitoring issues, last 10 years
4

Key facts

  • Pala North draws water from 4 wells.
  • Highest measured level in the last 10 years: Nitrate, 12.5 mg/L, federal limit 10 mg/L (1.3 times the limit), 2025.
  • Record on file since 2002, with 6 health-based violations before October 19, 2016.
  • Lead pipe inventory: 0 lead and 172 unknown out of 346 service lines.

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Health-based violations

Since October 2016

Violation data reflects EPA records through March 2026. For the most current status, visit the EPA ECHO database.

Contaminant Rule family Start date Status Acute
Nitrate
Contaminant limit exceeded
Measured 12.5 mg/L, federal limit 10 mg/L (1.3 times the limit)
 330 Jul 1, 2025 Resolved Yes
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 27, 2019 Active No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 27, 2019 Active No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No
Groundwater Rule
Treatment technique failure
 140 Sep 26, 2019 Resolved No

Monitoring and reporting issues

Since October 2016

Missed tests or reports, not contaminants found above a limit.

Issue Start date Status
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring violation
 Sep 1, 2025 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring and reporting
 Jan 1, 2022 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring and reporting
 Jan 1, 2021 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring and reporting
 Jan 1, 2016 Resolved

Full record since 2002

EPA's records for Pala North go back to 2002. Before October 19, 2016 they list 6 health-based violations (6 resolved) and 2 monitoring or reporting violations.

Violations that began in Health-based Monitoring and reporting
2000s 5 1
2010 to October 18, 2016 1 1
October 19, 2016 to 2019 12 0
2020s 1 3

Most recent health-based violation before October 19, 2016: Total Coliform, began September 2010, Resolved.

Show all 6 health-based violations before October 19, 2016
Contaminant Start date Status
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Sep 1, 2010 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Dec 1, 2008 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jan 1, 2006 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Jul 1, 2005 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Dec 1, 2003 Resolved
Total Coliform
Contaminant limit exceeded
 Aug 1, 2003 Resolved

What the violations mean

Groundwater Rule

12 incidents

The system did not complete a treatment step or action that the Groundwater Rule requires (a treatment technique violation).

The utility had to notify customers about each of these violations.

Nitrate

1 incident

Nitrate exceeded the federal limit

High nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under 6 months and can cause blue baby syndrome

Where the water comes from

Pala North draws water from 4 wells.

Annual water quality report

Pala North must give its customers an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report) by July 1, with the levels its tests found in the previous year.

Systems serving 10,000 or more people must mail or deliver the report to every customer, and from 2027 they must send it twice a year.

Find a posted report with EPA's Consumer Confidence Report search

Testing your own water

To test the water at your tap, or a private well this record does not cover, use a laboratory certified for drinking water by EPA Region 9.

Certified drinking water labs by state EPA guidance for private wells