Pala North
Pala, CA · 14,280 people served · EPA PWSID 090605153
Pala North (Pala, CA), which serves about 14,280 people, has recorded 1 health-based drinking-water contaminant in EPA violation records since 2016, most notably Nitrate. Its most recent lead 90th-percentile sample was 1.0 ppb, within the 15 ppb federal action level. EPA's UCMR5 program detected PFAS 'forever chemicals' in this system: PFPeA (0.023 µg/L), PFBS (0.012 µg/L), PFHxA (0.0072 µg/L). PFOA/PFOS levels exceed the 2024 federal limit of 4 ppt (0.004 µg/L). A certified water filter can reduce these at the tap — see the certified options for each below.
What the testing found
Measured levels from EPA violation records, compared to the federal limit (MCL). The black line marks the legal limit.
Nitrate
1.2× the federal limitCauses 'blue baby syndrome' (methemoglobinemia) in infants under 6 months; MCL 10 mg/L as N. Runoff from fertilizer, septic, manure.
Copper
1.11× the federal limitShort-term: nausea/vomiting/cramps; long-term: liver/kidney damage. Leaches from copper plumbing, worse with corrosive water.
Lead
Within federal limitNo safe level. Damages developing brain/nervous system in children; linked to lower IQ, kidney and cardiovascular harm in adults. Usually enters water from corroding pipes/solder, not the source.
PFAS "forever chemicals"
Detected by EPA's UCMR5 monitoring. The 2024 federal limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt (0.004 µg/L).
PFPeA
DetectedPFBS
DetectedPFHxA
DetectedPFOA
1.5× the 4 ppt limitFilters certified to clean up your water
Your water shows Nitrate, Copper, Lead, PFOA, and 2 more. A refrigerator filter handles the most of this in one unit — these three are independently certified for the most of your contaminants (not marketing claims):
Your water also has Nitrate — only reverse osmosis reliably removes these dissolved contaminants. See the best RO systems →
Compare all certified refrigerator filters →
Want certainty about your tap specifically (not just the system)? A certified mail-in lab test is the gold standard — system-wide records can differ from your home's plumbing. Some links above are affiliate links — see our disclosure.
Sources & method. Contaminant levels and violations come from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (health-based violations, 2016–present); PFAS from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023–2025). Levels shown are the highest recorded value in the violation records; a violation means the contaminant exceeded its federal limit at the system level. Your home's water can differ from the system average. Public domain data; we are not affiliated with the EPA.