Nelson, CA Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Nelson's tap water quality puts it in CA's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Nelson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Nelson Residents
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.05 — above typical levels.
Nelson's Water Providers
Water service in Nelson, CA is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nelson, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,581 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Nelson — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Nelson: B (73/100)
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
Nelson water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Nelson
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95958 | B | DURHAM IRRIGATION DISTRICT | 1,581 |
All ZIP Codes in Nelson
- 95958 [B]
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.
Nelson 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
Nelson: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
5 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Nelson, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Nelson has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $29,024 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>$1,800</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Nelson, CA