Glendale, CA Water Safety: 82/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Throughout Glendale and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for CA shows above-average performance — violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.
How Glendale Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Glendale, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Glendale score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Glendale Water
- Average lead level: 0.0041 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,429 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.71.
Who Supplies Your Water in Glendale
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Glendale, CA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Glendale, California, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 173,495 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Glendale — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Glendale: B (82/100)
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
Glendale water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0041 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 14 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91201 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91202 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91203 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91204 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91205 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91206 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91207 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91208 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91209 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
| 91210 | B | Glendale-city, Water Department | 188,784 |
All ZIP Codes in Glendale
- 91201 [B]
- 91202 [B]
- 91203 [B]
- 91204 [B]
- 91205 [B]
- 91206 [B]
- 91207 [B]
- 91208 [B]
- 91209 [B]
- 91210 [B]
- 91221 [B]
- 91222 [B]
- 91225 [B]
- 91226 [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 Glendale
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 Glendale
With 72% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Glendale is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1968 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Glendale 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 Glendale Homeowners
Setting Glendale remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Glendale are relatively low compared to home values. The $686–$2,286 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 44% above the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Glendale
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Glendale — 72% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Glendale
Flood exposure in Glendale is meaningful by NFIP measures — 78 claims on record and 57% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Glendale has a moderate flood history with 78 FEMA claims averaging $5,736 per payout. 57% 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>$1,429</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 Glendale, CA