Nevada City, CA: 1 Health Violation — 82/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Nevada City tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within CA.
How Nevada City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Nevada City Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.88 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Nevada City
Residential addresses in Nevada City, CA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 6 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nevada City, California (population ~18,017), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 29,719 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 Nevada City: B (82/100)
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
Nevada City water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95959 | B | 1 | 1 | City of Nevada City |
All ZIP Codes in Nevada City
- 95959 [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.
CDC Health Data for Nevada 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
Key Contaminants Detected in Nevada City
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Nevada City's Housing Stock?
With 59% 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
What does a median build year of 1987 mean for water safety in Nevada City? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Nevada City 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.
Nevada City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Nevada City runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Nevada City are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,350–$3,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 18% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Nevada City
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 59% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Nevada City.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Nevada City
FEMA data shows 100% of Nevada City's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 10 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Nevada City has a moderate flood history with 10 FEMA claims averaging $47,231 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>$2,500</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 Nevada City, CA