Carlotta, CA Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're checking Carlotta, CA tap water safety, the short answer is: average — violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Carlotta Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Carlotta Water
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — 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 Carlotta
Carlotta, CA runs on one primary water provider among the 1 federally tracked system. A single utility is responsible for the overwhelming share of residential supply — including the infrastructure, compliance filings, and rate schedules that govern service for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Carlotta, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,415 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Carlotta — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Carlotta: C (65/100)
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
Carlotta water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Carlotta
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95528 | C | SCOTIA CSD | 906 |
All ZIP Codes in Carlotta
- 95528 [C]
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 Carlotta
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 Carlotta
With 72% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Carlotta, where the median build year is 1961, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Carlotta 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 Carlotta Homeowners
In Carlotta, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Carlotta are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Carlotta
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.
Locally, 72% of Carlotta homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Carlotta
Although Carlotta's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 16 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Carlotta has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $726 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.
What You Can Do in Carlotta
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carlotta, CA