Groundwater in Imperial County contains boron, chloride, sulfate, arsenic, fluoride, lead, manganese, nitrate, and radon. Multiple contaminants exceed EPA health standards, making this a county where well owners need to test their water and understand what is coming from their tap.
Imperial County sits in a desert basin filled with ancient rock and mineral deposits. The groundwater here dissolves salts and minerals naturally present in the rock as water moves through the ground, and agricultural and industrial activity in the valley adds nitrate and other contaminants. The high salt and mineral content reflects both the dry desert climate and the rock layers that hold the water.
Groundwater in this county is moderately hard and carries high sodium and moderate sulfate from the rock below. The very high salt content overall reflects the desert setting and the minerals that dissolve from rock as water sits underground in this arid region. Most wells in Imperial County show these elevated salt and mineral characteristics, though individual wells vary in what they contain.
Wells in Imperial County commonly have arsenic, boron, nitrate, radon, lead, fluoride, chloride, manganese, and sulfate at levels above EPA health standards. Arsenic and radon are known to increase cancer risk when consumed over time. Nitrate and lead harm children's development and organ function. Boron, fluoride, chloride, and sulfate at elevated levels damage kidneys and bones and can cause stomach and digestive problems.
The high mineral content in county well water creates staining on fixtures and laundry, crusty buildup in pipes and appliances, and a salty taste. The sulfate content can cause a laxative effect and unpleasant odor. Your water heater and dishwasher may wear out faster because of the mineral load.
We recommend a comprehensive water test since multiple contaminants exceed health standards in this county. Every well is different, and yours could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so you can treat it properly. A full panel typically costs $200 to $400 and can identify which contaminants need filtration or other treatment systems.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boron | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 1423 | 41% | High | High | |
| Sulfate | 1297 | 28% | High | High | |
| Arsenic | 98 | 23% | Moderate | High | |
| Radon | 5 | 20% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 884 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Manganese | 761 | 5% | High | Moderate | |
| Lead | 48 | 4% | Moderate |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Fluoride | 1123 | 1% | High | Low | |
| Nitrate | 691 | 1% | High | Low | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Nitrite | 526 | 0% | High | Low | |
| Perchlorate | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 38 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Chromium (total) | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 39 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Tds | 2 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 1312 | — | High | Low | |
| Sodium | 1109 | — | High | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 39 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| pH | 1405 | — | High | Low |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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