National City, CA Water Safety: 63/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
National City's water quality grade in CA reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How National City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
National City Water: The Quick Version
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.18.
Water Systems Serving National City
Throughout National City, CA, water comes from one of 2 primary utilities out of 2 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in National City, California (population ~57,173), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,576,661 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in National City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for National City: C (63/100)
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
National City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for National City
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91950 | C | SAN DIEGO, CITY OF | 1,385,379 |
| 91951 | C | SAN DIEGO, CITY OF | 1,385,379 |
All ZIP Codes in National City
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.
CDC Health Data for National City
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
National City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In National City, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in National City are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,200–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 21% below the California average.
Climate-Related Water Risk for National City
The NFIP claim record for National City — 55 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 50% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
National City has a moderate flood history with 55 FEMA claims averaging $74,684 per payout. 50% 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>$3,100</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 National City
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for National City, CA