Los Altos, CA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable
3 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Los Altos Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.01.
Water Systems Serving Los Altos
Los Altos, CA is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 5 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Los Altos, California (population ~43,666), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 241,286 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Los Altos water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94022 | — | Cwsc Los Altos Suburban | 69,973 |
| 94024 | — | Cwsc Los Altos Suburban | 69,973 |
All ZIP Codes in Los Altos
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Los Altos
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 Los Altos'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, Los Altos's housing stock carries a median build year of 1964. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Los Altos 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.
Los Altos: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Los Altos sits in the low remediation-share tier - the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Los Altos are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 171% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Los Altos
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted - but 75% of the Los Altos inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Los Altos
Historical NFIP data for Los Altos contains 35 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $4,916. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,700</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Los Altos, CA