Water Quality in Lakehead, CA: 2 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 91/100 · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Lakehead's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance history for Lakehead, CA includes 2 water violations on file with the EPA — a federal tally that spans health-based exceedances, monitoring failures, and enforcement actions logged under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Lakehead
Water quality varies across Lakehead's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96051 | A | 91 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Lakehead, California receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 91 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 4 water systems serving Lakehead have accumulated 2 EPA violations, including 1 health-based violation. These violations are tracked across 1 ZIP codes serving approximately 732 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Lakehead's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Lakehead water systems is 0.0036 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 77% of homes built before 1986, Lakehead has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Lakehead
Lakehead is served by 4 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 732 people across 1 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
How to Check Your Water in Lakehead
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Lakehead Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Lakehead's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | Yes |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Lakehead vs. Nearby California Cities
How Lakehead's water quality compares to similar cities in California:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakehead | A | 2 | 4 | 732 |
| Lee Vining | B | 0 | 2 | 742 |
| Orleans | D | 8 | 2 | 721 |
| Etna | A | 0 | 1 | 720 |
Common Questions About Lakehead Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Lakehead, California:
Is Lakehead water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Lakehead's 4 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Lakehead tap water? Lakehead's water receives a grade of A (91/100). There are 1 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Lakehead? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Lakehead vs. California Average
Understanding how Lakehead compares to the broader California average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Lakehead.
ZIP Codes in Lakehead
Lakehead spans 1 ZIP code. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 96051. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.