Monterey, CA: 8 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Monterey by CA authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Monterey Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Monterey Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 48 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0024 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 6 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Monterey, California (population ~33,681), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 94,715 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Monterey: B (72/100)
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
Monterey water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 35 | 4 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Contaminant 1012 | Other | 5 | 4 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93940 | B | 12 | 2 | Cal Am Water Company - Monterey |
| 93942 | B | 12 | 2 | Csp-pfeiffer Big Sur |
| 93943 | B | 12 | 2 | Cal Am Water Company - Monterey |
| 93944 | B | 12 | 2 | Cal Am Water Company - Monterey |
All ZIP Codes in Monterey
- 93940 [B] — 12 violations ⚠
- 93942 [B] — 12 violations ⚠
- 93943 [B] — 12 violations ⚠
- 93944 [B] — 12 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.
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
What's in Monterey's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
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: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
How does Monterey's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 43 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 25% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Monterey has a moderate flood history with 43 FEMA claims averaging $65,044 per payout. 25% 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>$1,775</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 Monterey, CA