CITY REPORT CA

Berkeley, CA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable

11 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

11
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)
$1.3M
Median Home Value
$500
Est. Remediation (0.0% of home value)

Berkeley Water: The Quick Version

  • Homes built before 1986: 83% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 9.77.

Water Systems Serving Berkeley

One water system is listed below for Berkeley, CA; federal data link 1 to the area overall.

Overview

We track home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Berkeley, California (population ~127,190), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,442,800 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 9 of 11 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 9 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.

Water Sources

Berkeley water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 9 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

11 of 11 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
94702 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94703 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94704 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94705 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94707 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94708 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94709 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94710 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800
94720 — East Bay Municipal Utility District 1,442,800

All ZIP Codes in Berkeley

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

CDC Health Data for Berkeley

8.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 8.9% ↓
Diabetes 11% ↑
Mental Health 15% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

How Old Is Berkeley's Housing Stock?

1942
Median Build Year
83%
Built Before 1986
74%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 83% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

By Census estimates, roughly half or more of the homes in Berkeley were built before 1986; the median build year is 1942.

1942
Median Year Built
83%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
74%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (74%) 1970–1986 (9%) Post-1986 (17%)

Over half of homes in Berkeley were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Berkeley: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Of the three cost-context tiers - low, moderate and elevated - Berkeley is in the low one.

Median Home Value
$1.3M
Est. Remediation
$500
Remediation as % of home value 0.0%

Estimated remediation costs in Berkeley can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 72% above the California average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Berkeley

83%
Homes Built Before 1986

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

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

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Berkeley

44
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$5,084
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
0%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Berkeley contains 44 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $5,084. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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 $500 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many water systems serve Berkeley?
Our records map 1 water system to 11 ZIP codes in Berkeley. The related population figure in our data is approximately 127,190 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Berkeley?
Estimated remediation cost per household in Berkeley: $500; modeled range $300 to $800. Estimated costs may include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, or flood protection where applicable.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Berkeley, CA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ca/berkeley/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ca-berkeley,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Berkeley, CA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ca/berkeley/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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