Murrieta, CA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 40/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Murrieta, CA: water systems collectively below average — violations documented.
How Murrieta Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Murrieta Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 21 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.022 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 17% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.09 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Murrieta
Water delivery in Murrieta, CA is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 8 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Murrieta, California (population ~142,976), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 1,058,716 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 21 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Murrieta: D (40/100)
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
Murrieta water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0220 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 3 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): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 28 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92562 | F | 7 | 7 | Eastern Municipal Water District |
| 92563 | D | 7 | 7 | Eastern Municipal Water District |
| 92564 | D | 7 | 7 | Indian Oaks Trailer Park |
All ZIP Codes in Murrieta
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 Murrieta
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 Murrieta Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Murrieta
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Newer construction dominates Murrieta's residential inventory, as reflected in a median build year of 1999. The practical implication is that lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — a pre-1986 standard now federally prohibited — are an exception rather than the rule in this city, though they remain present in the older fraction of the housing stock.
Most homes in Murrieta were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Murrieta Homeowners
Because property values in Murrieta comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Murrieta are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$4,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Murrieta
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 17% pre-rule share in Murrieta keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
<strong>3 ZIP codes</strong> (100% of the city) exceed the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Murrieta
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Murrieta has accumulated 30 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Murrieta has a moderate flood history with 30 FEMA claims averaging $6,238 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>$2,800</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.
What You Can Do in Murrieta
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Murrieta's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Murrieta, CA