Monterey, CA Home Safety: Home Safety 67/100
4 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Monterey: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
If you're checking Monterey, CA tap water safety, the short answer is: average - violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Monterey Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Monterey Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 93% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,775 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.65.
Monterey's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Monterey, CA, water accountability is distributed across 3 systems on the federal record.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Monterey, California (population ~33,681), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 93,912 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Monterey: C (67/100)
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
Monterey water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 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
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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93940 | C | Cal Am Water Company - Monterey | 92,450 |
| 93943 | C | Cal Am Water Company - Monterey | 92,450 |
| 93944 | C | Cal Am Water Company - Monterey | 92,450 |
All ZIP Codes in Monterey
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.
Monterey Community Health Snapshot
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
Monterey Infrastructure Age
With 93% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones - the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 - define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1947, Monterey falls squarely within the older range - meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Monterey 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Monterey
In Monterey, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Monterey are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$3,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% above the California average.
Monterey: 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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 93% of Monterey stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Monterey: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Monterey contains 43 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $139,845. 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>$1,775</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.
What You Can Do in Monterey
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Monterey, CA