Bakersfield, CA: 96 Health Violations — 75/100 (2026)
24 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Bakersfield records above-average water quality outcomes for CA; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Bakersfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Bakersfield, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 120 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.57 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Bakersfield
Federal drinking water records identify 10 systems in Bakersfield, CA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 24 ZIP codes in Bakersfield, California, covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 589,959 people.
24 of 24 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 96 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bakersfield: B (75/100)
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
Bakersfield water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0013 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): 24 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 50 | 24 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 50 | 24 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 25 | 24 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93301 | B | 5 | 4 | Cws - Bakersfield |
| 93302 | B | 5 | 4 | City of Bakersfield, |
| 93303 | B | 5 | 4 | City of Bakersfield, |
| 93304 | B | 5 | 4 | Cws - Bakersfield |
| 93305 | B | 5 | 4 | Cws - Bakersfield |
| 93306 | B | 5 | 4 | East Niles Csd |
| 93307 | B | 5 | 4 | City of Bakersfield, |
| 93308 | B | 5 | 4 | City of Bakersfield, |
| 93309 | B | 5 | 4 | City of Bakersfield, |
| 93311 | B | 5 | 4 | City of Bakersfield, |
All ZIP Codes in Bakersfield
- 93301 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93302 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93303 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93304 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93305 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93306 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93307 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93308 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93309 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93311 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93312 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93313 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93314 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93380 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93381 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93382 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93383 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93384 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93385 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93386 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93387 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93388 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93389 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 93390 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
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 Bakersfield
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Bakersfield
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Bakersfield: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Bakersfield are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Bakersfield are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$3,579 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bakersfield
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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Bakersfield accumulating 64 claims and carrying 46% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Bakersfield has a moderate flood history with 64 FEMA claims averaging $7,282 per payout. 46% 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>$1,900</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 Bakersfield, CA