Mountain Center, CA: 1 Health Violation — 79/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Mountain Center tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for CA — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Mountain Center Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Mountain Center Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.09 — above typical levels.
Mountain Center's Water Providers
Mountain Center, CA draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 11 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mountain Center, California (population ~1,891), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 1,017,310 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mountain Center: B (79/100)
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
Mountain Center water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 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)
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 | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92561 | B | 1 | 1 | Eastern Municipal Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Mountain Center
- 92561 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
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.
Mountain Center 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 Mountain Center's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Mountain Center Infrastructure Age
With 53% 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
Reading the housing age data for Mountain Center — median build year 1984 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Mountain Center 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 Mountain Center
Placing remediation in the context of Mountain Center's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Mountain Center are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% below the California average.
Mountain Center: 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.
If 53% of the Mountain Center inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Mountain Center: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Mountain Center through the NFIP — 2 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Mountain Center has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $7,152 per payout. 100% 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>$1,900</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 Mountain Center, CA