Aptos, CA Water Safety: 74/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Aptos, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above CA's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Aptos Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Aptos Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.85.
Water Systems Serving Aptos
Throughout Aptos, CA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 8 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Aptos, California (population ~24,708), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 204,352 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Aptos — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Aptos: B (74/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Aptos water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95001 | B | Central Water District | 2,726 |
| 95003 | C | Central Water District | 2,726 |
All ZIP Codes in Aptos
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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Aptos
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
Aptos: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Aptos valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Aptos are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 56% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Aptos
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 Aptos 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Aptos
How does Aptos's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 323 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 50% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Aptos has a moderate flood history with 323 FEMA claims averaging $13,268 per payout. 50% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Aptos, CA