Long Beach, CA: 54 Health Violations - 72/100 (2026)
27 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Long Beach: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (54 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Looking at federal monitoring data for Long Beach, CA: the city clears benchmarks set under the Safe Drinking Water Act with room to spare - recorded exceedances are rare, and the systems serving local households have not triggered any pattern of repeat deficiencies in recent cycles.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Long Beach Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 513 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0031 mg/L.
Water Quality in Long Beach
We track water quality and home safety data for 27 ZIP codes in Long Beach, California, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 468,810 people.
27 of 27 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 513 total, including 54 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (72/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 243 | 27 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 54 | 27 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 54 | 27 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 27 | 27 |
| Contaminant 1032 | Other | 27 | 27 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0031 mg/L
- 87% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 35% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1956
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 64/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 25%
- 11 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 87% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Long Beach residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
182,996 total housing units across 27 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 35,428 | 19% |
| 1940–1949 | 26,778 | 15% |
| 1950–1959 | 37,756 | 21% |
| 1960–1969 | 23,299 | 13% |
| 1970–1979 | 23,630 | 13% |
| 1980–1989 | 17,219 | 9% |
| 1990–1999 | 8,454 | 5% |
| 2000–2009 | 6,463 | 4% |
| 2010–2019 | 3,576 | 2% |
| 2020+ | 393 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Long Beach:
- 370 flood insurance claims on record
- $2,667,395 total paid out
- $7,209 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 4 of 27 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 27 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90801 | 75/100 | B | 19 |
| 90802 | 75/100 | B | 19 |
| 90809 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90822 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90831 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90832 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90833 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90834 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90835 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
| 90840 | 73/100 | B | 19 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90805 | 65/100 | C | 19 |
| 90803 | 65/100 | C | 19 |
| 90815 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90814 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90813 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90810 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90808 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90807 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90806 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
| 90804 | 70/100 | B | 19 |
What Long Beach Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Long Beach has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Long Beach is in a moderate-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Long Beach
- 90801 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90802 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90803 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90804 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90805 [C] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90806 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90807 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90808 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90809 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90810 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90813 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90814 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90815 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90822 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90831 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90832 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90833 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90834 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90835 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90840 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90842 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90844 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90846 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90847 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90848 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90853 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
- 90899 [B] - 19 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Long Beach, CA?
Long Beach has an average Home Safety Score of 72/100 (grade B) across 27 ZIP codes. There are 513 recorded EPA violations, 54 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Long Beach have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Long Beach is 0.0031 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 87% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Long Beach at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 370 flood insurance claims in Long Beach ZIP codes, with an average payout of $7,209. 4 of 27 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Long Beach homes?
87% of Long Beach housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 35% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 25%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Long Beach water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Across 27 ZIP codes, 27 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Long Beach Infrastructure Age
Median build year of 1956 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s - a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Long Beach's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1956, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure - an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.
Most homes in Long Beach were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Long Beach: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Lead risk in Long Beach appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Long Beach: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
370 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Long Beach, and 0% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones - enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Long Beach has a moderate flood history with 370 FEMA claims. 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.
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 Long Beach, CA