Unlike many cities its size in CA, Anaheim keeps health-based violation rates low - systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Anaheim

We track water quality and home safety data for 17 ZIP codes in Anaheim, California (population ~361,314), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 1,232,477 people region-wide.

17 of 17 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 34 total, including no health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: A (96/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L
• 71% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 4% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1975
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 51/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 21%
• 6 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 71% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Anaheim residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

114,249 total housing units across 17 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Anaheim:

• 59 flood insurance claims on record
• $159,843 total paid out
• $2,709 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 17 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Anaheim Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Anaheim has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Anaheim

• 92801 [A] - 2 violations
• 92802 [A] - 2 violations
• 92803 [A] - 2 violations
• 92804 [A] - 2 violations
• 92805 [A] - 2 violations
• 92806 [A] - 2 violations
• 92807 [A] - 2 violations
• 92808 [A] - 2 violations
• 92809 [A] - 2 violations
• 92812 [A] - 2 violations
• 92814 [A] - 2 violations
• 92815 [A] - 2 violations
• 92816 [A] - 2 violations
• 92817 [A] - 2 violations
• 92825 [A] - 2 violations
• 92850 [A] - 2 violations
• 92899 [A] - 2 violations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Anaheim, CA?

Anaheim has an average Home Safety Score of 96/100 (grade A) across 17 ZIP codes. There are 34 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Anaheim have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Anaheim is 0.0020 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 71% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Anaheim at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 59 flood insurance claims in Anaheim ZIP codes, with an average payout of $2,709. Most areas are in moderate or low-risk flood zones.

Are there lead pipes in Anaheim homes?

71% of Anaheim housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 4% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 21%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Anaheim water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 17 ZIP codes, 17 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s - a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Anaheim's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1975, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure - an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.

1975

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Anaheim were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Anaheim

0.002

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Anaheim appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Anaheim

Historically, Anaheim has seen minimal flood insurance activity under the NFIP, placing it in a low-exposure category where flood-driven water quality disruptions are uncommon.

59

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~3

Est. Claims/Year

Anaheim has a relatively low flood history with 59 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.

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.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.