Alameda, CA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Alameda Residents
- Average lead level: 0.05 mg/L - exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 74% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.67.
Alameda's Water Providers
Structurally, Alameda, CA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 3 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Alameda, California (population ~76,876), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 1,448,064 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Alameda water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0500 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94501 | — | East Bay Municipal Utility District | 1,442,800 |
| 94502 | — | East Bay Municipal Utility District | 1,442,800 |
All ZIP Codes in Alameda
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Alameda Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Alameda Infrastructure Age
With 74% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Alameda's median build year of 1969 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature - not a rare legacy - of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Alameda were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Alameda
For most homeowners in Alameda, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth - placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Alameda are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 64% above the California average.
Alameda: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Once federal rules removed lead solder from new plumbing, the older inventory still in service became the active risk surface. 74% of the Alameda housing stock comes from that earlier era, and citywide monitoring has crossed the action level.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (50% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Alameda: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Alameda contains 47 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $18,340. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$2,100</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alameda, CA