Grass Valley, CA: 2 Violations — 81/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for Grass Valley shows a consistently clean picture in CA — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Grass Valley Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Grass Valley Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.88 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Grass Valley
3 independent water providers serve Grass Valley, CA — 6 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Grass Valley, California, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 48,384 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Grass Valley: B (81/100)
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
Grass Valley water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 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): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95945 | B | 1 | 0 | Nevada Id - E. George, Banner Mountain |
| 95949 | B | 1 | 0 | Nevada Id - E. George, Banner Mountain |
All ZIP Codes in Grass Valley
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 Grass 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
Top Contaminants in Grass Valley Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Grass Valley
With 60% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Grass Valley's median build year of 1979 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Grass 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 Grass Valley Homeowners
Across Grass Valley, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Grass Valley are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,000–$2,950 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Grass 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 60% pre-rule share in Grass Valley keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Grass Valley
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Grass Valley falls in moderate-exposure territory — 16 documented incidents 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.
Grass Valley has a moderate flood history with 16 FEMA claims averaging $13,527 per payout. 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>$1,900</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 Grass Valley, CA