Hamilton City, CA Water Safety: 90/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Hamilton City tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with CA and federal standards.
How Hamilton City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Hamilton City Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.61 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Hamilton City
Federal drinking water records identify 1 system operating in Hamilton City, CA. One of those systems serves the overwhelming majority of residential addresses, concentrating infrastructure management, rate authority, and EPA compliance reporting within a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hamilton City, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,743 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Hamilton City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hamilton City: A (90/100)
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
Hamilton City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95951 | A | Cal-water Service Company-hamilton City | 1,799 |
All ZIP Codes in Hamilton City
- 95951 [A]
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 Hamilton City
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 Hamilton City'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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Hamilton City's housing stock carries a median build year of 1974. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Hamilton City 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.
Hamilton City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Hamilton City is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Hamilton City are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Hamilton City
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.
When older housing represents 75% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Hamilton City address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Hamilton City
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Hamilton City has accumulated 14 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Hamilton City has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $7,778 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>$1,800</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 Hamilton City, CA