Merced, CA: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 80/100
5 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Merced: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
In the dataset behind this page, Merced, CA receives one of the two highest grades; read the compliance history system by system for details.
How Merced Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Merced Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 56% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $800 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 12.06.
Who Supplies Your Water in Merced
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Merced, CA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Merced, California, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 109,664 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 5 ZIP codes.
2 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (67%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Merced: B (80/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Merced water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
5 of 5 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95340 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Merced |
| 95341 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Merced |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95348 | B | City of Merced | 93,692 |
All ZIP Codes in Merced
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.
Health Outcomes in Merced
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Merced Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Merced
With 56% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
If you live in one of the pre-1986 homes in Merced, a certified lab test for lead is the direct way to learn what your tap delivers; the median build year of 1981 is only context.
Over half of homes in Merced were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. 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 Merced Homeowners
In Merced, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.
Estimated remediation costs in Merced can be compared with local home values. The $500–$1,200 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 52% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Merced
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Merced
Historical NFIP data for Merced contains 410 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $34,268. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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 $800 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 Merced, CA