Garden Valley, CA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
A meaningful share of water systems in Garden Valley have recorded health-based violations in recent CA monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Garden Valley Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Garden Valley Water
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.85.
Who Supplies Your Water in Garden Valley
2 water utilities share the residential service territory in Garden Valley, CA — out of 2 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Garden Valley, California (population ~2,653), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 141,605 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Garden Valley — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Garden Valley: D (53/100)
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
Garden Valley water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Garden Valley
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95633 | D | GEORGETOWN DIVIDE PUD | 9,434 |
All ZIP Codes in Garden Valley
- 95633 [D]
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 Garden Valley
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 Garden Valley
With 57% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Garden Valley, where the median build year is 1986, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Garden Valley 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Garden Valley Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Garden Valley picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Garden Valley are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Garden Valley
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 the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 57% of Garden Valley stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Garden Valley
- 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 57% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Garden Valley, CA