El Centro, CA: 10 Health Violations — 88/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
El Centro tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with CA and federal standards.
How El Centro Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
El Centro Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.34 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving El Centro
7 water systems are tracked federally in El Centro, CA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in El Centro, California (population ~48,556), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 89,545 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for El Centro: A (88/100)
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
El Centro water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 9 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92243 | A | 7 | 5 | City of El Centro, |
| 92244 | A | 7 | 5 | City of El Centro, |
All ZIP Codes in El Centro
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.
CDC Health Data for El Centro
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
Key Contaminants Detected in El Centro
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
El Centro: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in El Centro runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in El Centro are relatively low compared to home values. The $700–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in El Centro
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.
Lead risk in El Centro appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for El Centro
Multiple flood events have been recorded for El Centro through the NFIP — 3 claims in total, with 50% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
El Centro has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $1,889 per payout. 50% 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 El Centro, CA