Cottonwood, CA: 2 Health Violations - Home Safety 93/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Cottonwood: A.
Checked records flag no major concern; missing data is unknown.
Within Cottonwood, CA, the available records add up to an upper-tier grade; that grade describes records, not the water at a given faucet.
How Cottonwood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Cottonwood Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0036 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 48% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.63.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cottonwood
Among 5 systems linked to Cottonwood, CA, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- A
- A
- A
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cottonwood, California (population ~16,497), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 27,107 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cottonwood: A (93/100)
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
Cottonwood water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0036 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96022 | A | 7 | 2 | Cottonwood Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Cottonwood
- 96022 [A] - 7 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Cottonwood
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
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Cottonwood Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Cottonwood
With 48% 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
A citywide median of 1983 for construction says little about any single address in Cottonwood. Homes built before 1986, when federal amendments restricted the lead content allowed in new pipe, solder and flux, may contain plumbing materials with more lead, and later renovations may have replaced them. An inspection of the plumbing can identify the materials, and sending a tap water sample to an accredited laboratory measures lead.
Most homes in Cottonwood 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cottonwood Homeowners
Compared with typical property prices, the remediation estimate for Cottonwood is small in percentage terms - at or under one percent.
Estimated remediation costs in Cottonwood can be compared with local home values. The $150–$600 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 52% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cottonwood
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 NFIP Claim Context in Cottonwood
Historical NFIP data for Cottonwood contains 10 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $35,518. 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 $300 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cottonwood, CA