Blue Lake, CA Water Safety: 95/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Blue Lake have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in CA reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Blue Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Blue Lake Water
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 88% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.81 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Blue Lake
3 independent water providers serve Blue Lake, CA — 3 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Blue Lake, California (population ~1,443), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 3,697 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Blue Lake — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Blue Lake: A (95/100)
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
Blue Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95525 | A | Fieldbrook Glendale C.s.d. | 1,845 |
All ZIP Codes in Blue Lake
- 95525 [A]
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.
Health Outcomes in Blue Lake
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Blue Lake
With 88% 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
Because the majority of Blue Lake's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1964 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Blue Lake 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Blue Lake Homeowners
What does remediation cost in financial context for Blue Lake homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Blue Lake are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 34% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Blue Lake
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.
Routinely in Blue Lake, where 88% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Blue Lake
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Blue Lake has accumulated 3 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Blue Lake has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $2,617 per payout. 100% 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>$1,200</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 Blue Lake, CA