Foothill Ranch, CA Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Foothill Ranch 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 Foothill Ranch Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Foothill Ranch Water
- Homes built before 1986: 8% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.23.
Who Supplies Your Water in Foothill Ranch
Water delivery in Foothill Ranch, CA is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Foothill Ranch, California (population ~13,182), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 496,600 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Foothill Ranch — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Foothill Ranch: B (73/100)
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
Foothill Ranch water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Foothill Ranch
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92610 | B | Irvine Ranch Water District | 444,800 |
All ZIP Codes in Foothill Ranch
- 92610 [B]
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 Foothill Ranch
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 Foothill Ranch
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Compared to many older metro areas, Foothill Ranch carries a relatively newer housing profile — the median build year of 1994 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.
Most homes in Foothill Ranch were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Foothill Ranch Homeowners
In Foothill Ranch, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Foothill Ranch are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 27% above the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Foothill Ranch
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.
Reading Foothill Ranch's aggregate samples next to its housing-age figures yields a quiet baseline. Lead rests under the federal action benchmark in citywide monitoring, and only 8% of homes were built before the federal ban on solder containing lead. Households with kids — the population for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — can confirm in-home conditions with a draw-test kit, with a certified lead-removal filter available through certified retail channels if results warrant it.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Foothill Ranch
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Foothill Ranch falls in moderate-exposure territory — 1 documented incident spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Foothill Ranch has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims. 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>$2,300</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 Foothill Ranch, CA