Public water system · CA1310801
ActiveCentinela State Prison
At a glance
Centinela State Prison (PWSID CA1310801) is an active community water system in Imperial County, California. It reports serving 4,100 people through 2,001 service connections. Its primary water source is purchased surface water, and EPA lists it as owned by a state government. Of the 12 most recent violations in EPA's records, 12 are health-based, and the most recent began in April 2015.
Dataset updated . Source: EPA SDWIS/ECHO public records.
Population served
4,100
Service connections
2,001
Primary source
SWP
Purchased surface water
System type
CWS
Community water system
System record
How does Centinela State Prison compare with other water systems in Imperial County?
By EPA's size categories, Centinela State Prison is a medium system (3,301 to 10,000 people). Imperial County has 76 active public water systems. Its population served is about 68% above the county average of 2,444 people per system, and accounts for 2.2% of the 185,748 people reported by systems filed under the county. Across California, the 7,479 active systems average 5,706 people each. Nationally, the average active community water system reports serving 6,703 people, so Centinela State Prison is about 39% below that figure.
What does “community water system” mean?
A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. California has 2,997 active community water systems, 40% of the state's 7,479 active systems. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. 506 California systems (6.8%) list purchased surface water as their primary source.
Who owns and regulates Centinela State Prison?
EPA lists Centinela State Prison as owned by a state government. The CA state drinking water program is its primacy agency, the regulator with primary enforcement responsibility for the system under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 7 of the 76 active systems in Imperial County (9.2%) are also owned by a state government.
Does Centinela State Prison have drinking water violations?
Of the 12 most recent violations in EPA's records, 12 are health-based, and the most recent began in April 2015. The violations listed here began between July 2009 and April 2015. By type: 11 contaminant level above the legal limit and 1 required treatment not met. The contaminant or rule involved most often is Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) (11 of them). EPA lists 12 as resolved. Resolved means at least one resolving action is on record: the system returned to compliance, the rule no longer applies, or no further action was needed.
| Began | Violation | Contaminant or rule | Health-based | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-04-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2015-01-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2014-10-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2014-07-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2013-07-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2013-04-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2013-01-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2012-10-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2012-09-01 | Required treatment not metTreatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) · code 41 | Surface Water Treatment Rulecode 0200 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2012-07-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2009-10-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
| 2009-07-01 | Contaminant level above the legal limitMaximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average · code 02 | Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)code 2950 | Yes | Resolved |
The 12 most recent violations in EPA's records, newest first.Labels and codes come from EPA's SDWIS reference tables. A monitoring or reporting violation means a required test or report was missed or late; it does not by itself mean a contaminant was found. "Health-based" marks violations of a legal limit or required treatment.
Centinela State Prison: frequently asked questions
Who runs Centinela State Prison?
Centinela State Prison (PWSID CA1310801) is a community water system owned by a state government. It is regulated by the CA state drinking water program.
How many people does Centinela State Prison serve?
Centinela State Prison reports serving 4,100 people through 2,001 service connections in Imperial County, California.
Where does Centinela State Prison get its water?
EPA SDWIS lists this system's primary water source as purchased surface water. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own.
Does Centinela State Prison have any drinking water violations?
Of the 12 most recent violations in EPA's records, 12 are health-based, and the most recent began in April 2015. A monitoring or reporting violation means a required test or report was missed or late; it does not by itself mean a contaminant was found.
Is Centinela State Prison's water safe to drink?
AquaCensus shows EPA compliance records, not current water test results, so it cannot say whether the water is safe at a given moment. Of the 12 most recent violations in EPA's records, 12 are health-based, and the most recent began in April 2015. For current results, consult the system's annual water quality report, EPA ECHO, or the CA state drinking water program.
Where can I find Centinela State Prison's water quality report?
As a community water system, Centinela State Prison must deliver an annual water quality report, called a Consumer Confidence Report, to its customers by July 1 each year, covering the previous calendar year. The system can provide a copy on request.
Other water systems in Imperial County
| Water system | County | Population served | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, City of | Imperial | 43,772 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Calexico, City of | Imperial | 40,357 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Brawley, City of | Imperial | 26,862 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Imperial, City of | Imperial | 21,591 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Imperial Valley College | Imperial | 8,150 | Non-transient non-community | Surface water |
| Gswc - Calipatria | Imperial | 7,363 | Community | Purchased surface water |
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About this data
Source: U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and SDWA violation records, via EPA ECHO, as published October 1, 2026 — AquaCensus refreshes it quarterly. See the methodology for how records are matched, cleaned and scored.
Cite as: AquaCensus, “Centinela State Prison, PWSID CA1310801, California”, https://aquacensus.com/water-systems/california/centinela-state-prison-ca1310801 (data as of October 1, 2026).