Los Gatos, CA: 4 Health Violations — 76/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The water systems supplying Los Gatos show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in CA.
How Los Gatos Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Los Gatos Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0028 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,050 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.47.
Who Supplies Your Water in Los Gatos
In Los Gatos, CA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 10 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Los Gatos, California (population ~50,535), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 1,105,392 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Los Gatos: B (76/100)
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
Los Gatos water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0028 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): 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95030 | B | 2 | 1 | SAN JOSE WATER |
| 95031 | B | 2 | 1 | Coyote Valley Rv Resort |
| 95032 | B | 2 | 1 | SAN JOSE WATER |
| 95033 | B | 2 | 1 | Summit West Mutual Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in Los Gatos
- 95030 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 95031 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 95032 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 95033 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
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 Los Gatos
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 Los Gatos Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Los Gatos
With 77% 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
What does a median build year of 1972 mean for water safety in Los Gatos? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Los Gatos 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 Los Gatos Homeowners
Within the Los Gatos market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Los Gatos are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,050–$3,350 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 171% above the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Los Gatos
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 77% of the Los Gatos inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Los Gatos
FEMA data shows 75% of Los Gatos's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 52 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Los Gatos has a moderate flood history with 52 FEMA claims averaging $8,112 per payout. 75% 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>$2,050</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 Los Gatos, CA