CITY REPORT CA

Brea, CA Home Safety: Home Safety 92/100

3 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Brea: A.

Checked records flag no major concern; missing data is unknown.

Brea, CA scores in the upper band of the ZipCheckup grade.

How Brea Compares

Brea92/100
California avg76/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

3
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems
0
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
A · 92
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
County Radon Potential (Low)
$1.1M
Median Home Value
$500
Est. Remediation (0.1% of home value)

Brea Water: The Quick Version

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0025 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 49% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 10.23.

Water Systems Serving Brea

More than one public water system is linked to Brea, CA: federal records tie 5 systems to the area, and the 3 with the largest reported service populations are shown below. Which of them supplies a particular address depends on where the property sits, and a water bill or the utility can confirm it.

Overview

We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Brea, California (population ~47,337), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 385,731 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Brea: A (92/100)

Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
PFAS MCL Screen UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification
Annual AQI EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days

Water Sources

Brea water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0025 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.

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
92821 A City of Brea 48,479
92823 A Yorba Linda Water District 84,292

All ZIP Codes in Brea

Data Sources

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

CDC Health Data for Brea

9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16%
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 9% ↓
Diabetes 11.5% ↑
Mental Health 16% ↑

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

How Old Is Brea's Housing Stock?

1988
Median Build Year
49%
Built Before 1986
26%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 49% 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

Over the decades, Brea accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1988 can be read against 1986, when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited - a regulatory line, not a safety line, and individual homes on either side of it can have different plumbing.

1988
Median Year Built
49%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
26%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (26%) 1970–1986 (23%) Post-1986 (51%)

Most homes in Brea were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Brea: Remediation Cost in Perspective

The remediation-to-value ratio for Brea sits at the bottom of the scale.

Median Home Value
$1.1M
Est. Remediation
$500
Remediation as % of home value 0.1%

Estimated remediation costs in Brea 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 44% above the California average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Brea

49%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0025
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

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 Brea

3
Total FEMA Flood Claims
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Brea contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Brea, CA?
Brea has an average Home Safety Score of 92/100 (Grade A) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. The available EPA record reports no violations for ZIP codes with reported counts. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
Does Brea water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Brea is 0.0025 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Brea compare to California average?
Brea has an average Home Safety Score of 92/100, which is at or above the California state average of 76/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve Brea?
Our records map 5 water systems to 3 ZIP codes in Brea. The related population figure in our data is approximately 47,337 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Brea?
Estimated remediation cost per household in Brea: $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). Brea, CA Home Safety: Home Safety 92/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ca/brea/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ca-brea,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Brea, CA Home Safety: Home Safety 92/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ca/brea/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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