LEMON COVE, California Tap Water Quality

109 people served · 1 water system

Failing

LEMON COVE, California is a rural community with 109 residents served by a single public water system. Water service covers ZIP code 93244.

LEMON COVE has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Nitrate and Lead among the regulated contaminants associated with LEMON COVE's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

Loading map...

Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

93244

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving LEMON COVE. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

16.1 MG/L

First Reported

Jan 2021

Most Recent

Oct 2025

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

→Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
→Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
→Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
→Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.

Read the complete guide to Nitrate

Leadchemical

EPA Code 5200 · Treatment Technique Violation

violation

EPA Limit

0.015 mg/L

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Oct 2024

Most Recent

Oct 2024

What this violation means

Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe exposure level. In drinking water it primarily enters via corroded lead service lines, lead-soldered copper pipes, and brass fixtures. Children under 6 and pregnant women face the highest risk because lead disrupts developing nervous and skeletal systems.

Recommended precautions

→Run cold tap water 30–120 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially after the tap has been unused for hours.
→Never cook with hot tap water — heat increases lead leaching from pipes.
→Use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for lead removal (carbon block or reverse osmosis).
→If you have children, get blood lead levels tested by your pediatrician.

Read the complete guide to Lead

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving LEMON COVE

LEMON COVE WATER COMPANY

PWSID: CA5400616

109 served

21 violations

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LEMON COVE, California tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does LEMON COVE have?▼

LEMON COVE has 21 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 1 water system serving 109 people.

What contaminants have been found in LEMON COVE water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 1040, 5200. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in LEMON COVE?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in LEMON COVE?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.