Inyo County, California

Arsenic: 15 of 87 sampled wells (17%) above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Nitrate: 7 of 143 sampled wells (5%) above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N. Samples 1910-01-01 to 2024-09-17; updated 2026-10-17. Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well.

What wells in this county have measured for arsenic and nitrate. A local picture only: test your own well to know your water.

Arsenic

15 of 87 sampled wells (17%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 µg/L.

Median (latest per well): 2.2 µg/L
90th percentile: 19.1 µg/L
Highest: Withheld for review: 1 well's latest result was above 1000 µg/L, far outside the usual range. It is still counted as above the limit.
Non-detects: 4 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 116, 1945-04-01 to 2024-09-16
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Nitrate

7 of 143 sampled wells (5%) had a latest result above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L as N.

Median (latest per well): 0.25 mg/L as N
90th percentile: 2.3 mg/L as N
Highest: Withheld for review: 3 wells' latest result was above 100 mg/L as N, far outside the usual range. They are still counted as above the limit.
Non-detects: 25 wells' latest result was "not detected" with no detection limit reported; they are counted as below the limit.
Samples: 347, 1910-01-01 to 2024-09-17
Source: Water Quality Portal (USGS, EPA, NWQMC), siteType=Well, downloaded 2026-10-17

Includes monitoring, research and private wells reported to the Water Quality Portal. Non-detects count only when the lab's detection limit is at or below the EPA limit. Method: data rules.

What to do next

Test your own well. County numbers cannot tell you what is in your water. See which tests fit your well.
Use a lab certified by California. Certified labs in California.
Compare your results with the EPA limits (arsenic 10 µg/L, nitrate 10 mg/L as N). If a result is above a limit, contact your county or state health department.
If a result is high: arsenic guide · nitrate guide · bacteria guide · salesperson checklist.
Test again every year for bacteria and nitrate. Get a yearly reminder.