Forks Of Salmon, CA Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Across water systems in Forks Of Salmon, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for CA.
How Forks Of Salmon Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Forks Of Salmon Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 14.49 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Forks Of Salmon
Forks Of Salmon, CA draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Forks Of Salmon, California (population ~70), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 636 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Forks Of Salmon — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Forks Of Salmon: C (66/100)
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
Forks Of Salmon water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Forks Of Salmon
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96031 | C | ORLEANS C.S.D. | 636 |
All ZIP Codes in Forks Of Salmon
- 96031 [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.
CDC Health Data for Forks Of Salmon
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
How Old Is Forks Of Salmon's Housing Stock?
With 75% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Forks Of Salmon, the median build year of 1979 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Forks Of Salmon 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Forks Of Salmon
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.
75% of Forks Of Salmon housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Forks Of Salmon
- 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 75% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Forks Of Salmon, CA