Living in the Coachella Valley comes with many perks—stunning desert views, warm weather, and vibrant communities. But when it comes to tap water, the picture isn’t quite as sunny. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the Coachella Valley Water District: Cove Community has 13 contaminants in its groundwater supply that exceed health guidelines.

If you're a homeowner in Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indian Wells, or nearby cities, this guide will help you understand your water quality risks and choose the right water filtration system to protect your family and home.

The Contaminant Challenge in Coachella Valley

Here are some of the most concerning substances found in local water:

• Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium): 334x the EWG health guideline. Known carcinogen.
• Arsenic: 286x the EWG guideline. Tied to cancer and skin damage.
• Haloacetic Acids (HAA5 & HAA9): Byproducts of disinfection. Linked to cancer.
• Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs): Another group of disinfection byproducts.
• Radium & Uranium: Radioactive contaminants that can accumulate in bones.
• Nitrate & Nitrite: Can interfere with oxygen flow in the bloodstream, especially dangerous for infants.

These contaminants may meet outdated federal "legal" standards, but still pose serious health risks. So how do you defend your home?

Whole-Home Systems vs. Under-Sink Filters: What’s the Difference?

🏠 Whole-Home Water Filtration Systems

How they work: Installed at the point where water enters your home, these systems treat all the water used for drinking, bathing, cooking, and laundry.

Best for:

• Families who want protection from radioactive contaminants like uranium or radium
• Those with sensitive skin or respiratory issues that worsen with chlorine exposure
• Larger homes with multiple bathrooms

Pros:

• Covers your entire household
• Reduces radon, chlorine, and some heavy metals
• Helps protect appliances from mineral scale buildup

Cons:

• Higher initial investment
• Requires professional installation
• May not remove every contaminant (like PFAS or nitrates)

🏡 Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems

How they work: Installed beneath your kitchen sink, these systems push water through a semipermeable membrane to remove even the tiniest contaminants.

Best for:

• Families concerned about consumption-related risks like cancer-causing PFAS or nitrates
• Renters or smaller households
• Those on a budget seeking targeted filtration for drinking and cooking water

Pros:

• Removes a wide range of contaminants, including PFAS, arsenic, chromium-6
• Compact and relatively easy to install
• More affordable upfront cost

Cons:

• Only treats one faucet (typically your kitchen)
• Requires filter changes every 6–12 months
• Wastes some water in the filtration process

Which Water System Is Right for You?

If you're looking for complete home protection including showers and laundry, a whole-home system is ideal. For most Coachella Valley residents, pairing this with an under-sink reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap offers the best of both worlds. Still unsure? That’s where we come in.

Take the Guesswork Out: Book Your Free In-Home Water Test

At Select Source Water, we specialize in helping Coachella Valley families find the right system based on actual test results from their tap. Our FREE in-home water test gives you the answers you need. Then, you can try our recommended system with a 5-Day Risk-Free Trial to see the results firsthand.

✅ Know what’s in your water
✅ Explore the best solutions with expert advice
✅ Enjoy peace of mind, without pressure

Clean, healthy water shouldn’t be a luxury in the desert. Let’s make it your reality.