Fresno, CA: 116 Health Violations - 73/100 (2026)
58 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Fresno: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (116 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Although water quality varies across any metro, Fresno's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for CA - and documented violations are few.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Fresno Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 290 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
Water Quality in Fresno
We track water quality and home safety data for 58 ZIP codes in Fresno, California, covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 620,656 people.
58 of 58 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 290 total, including 116 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (73/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 232 | 58 |
| Contaminant 2414 | Other | 58 | 58 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L
- 67% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 20% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1972
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 59/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
- 15 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 67% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Fresno residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
212,862 total housing units across 58 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 12,272 | 6% |
| 1940–1949 | 11,959 | 6% |
| 1950–1959 | 28,433 | 13% |
| 1960–1969 | 26,117 | 12% |
| 1970–1979 | 40,069 | 19% |
| 1980–1989 | 27,099 | 13% |
| 1990–1999 | 27,707 | 13% |
| 2000–2009 | 25,472 | 12% |
| 2010–2019 | 12,403 | 6% |
| 2020+ | 1,331 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Fresno:
- 151 flood insurance claims on record
- $962,457 total paid out
- $6,374 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: B (Moderate risk)
- 8 of 58 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 58 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93650 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93701 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93702 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93703 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93706 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93721 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93722 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93725 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93727 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
| 93737 | 75/100 | B | 5 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93728 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93726 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93720 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93711 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93710 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93705 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93704 | 70/100 | B | 5 |
| 93888 | 73/100 | B | 5 |
| 93844 | 73/100 | B | 5 |
| 93794 | 73/100 | B | 5 |
What Fresno Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Fresno has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Fresno is in a moderate-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Fresno
- 93650 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93701 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93702 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93703 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93704 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93705 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93706 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93707 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93708 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93709 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93710 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93711 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93712 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93714 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93715 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93716 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93717 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93718 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93720 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93721 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93722 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93723 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93724 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93725 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93726 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93727 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93728 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93729 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93730 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93737 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93740 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93741 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93744 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93745 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93747 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93750 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93755 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93760 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93761 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93764 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93765 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93771 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93772 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93773 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93774 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93775 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93776 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93777 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93778 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93779 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93786 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93790 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93791 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93792 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93793 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93794 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93844 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
- 93888 [B] - 5 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Fresno, CA?
Fresno has an average Home Safety Score of 73/100 (grade B) across 58 ZIP codes. There are 290 recorded EPA violations, 116 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Fresno have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Fresno is 0.0050 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 67% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Fresno at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 151 flood insurance claims in Fresno ZIP codes, with an average payout of $6,374. 8 of 58 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Fresno homes?
67% of Fresno housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 20% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Fresno water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 2 DBP Rule, Contaminant 2414. Across 58 ZIP codes, 58 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
How Old Is Fresno's Housing Stock?
Median build year of 1972 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Although a small portion of Fresno's homes predate 1986, the median build year of 1972 indicates the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed after lead solder was banned - which tends to reduce the plumbing-related component of lead exposure at the household level.
Most homes in Fresno 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fresno
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 Fresno 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 Fresno
Flood risk in Fresno occupies the middle ground: 151 NFIP claims and 0% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality - treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow - become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Fresno has a moderate flood history with 151 FEMA claims. 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.
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 Fresno, CA