CITY REPORT CA

North Highlands, CA: 1 Violation — 79/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Throughout North Highlands and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for CA shows above-average performance — violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.

How North Highlands Compares

North Highlands79/100
California avg73/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
4
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
B · 79
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$331K
Median Home Value
$1,800
Est. Remediation (0.5% of home value)

Key Facts for North Highlands Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0093 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.31.

North Highlands's Water Providers

At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of North Highlands, CA's residential water connections out of 4 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.

Sacramento Suburban Water District
Serves ~194,444 people · 1 violation
79
/100
Rio Linda/elverta Community Water District
Serves ~15,460 people · 1 violation
79
/100
Mc Clellan Mhp
Serves ~700 people · 1 violation
79
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in North Highlands, California (population ~35,668), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 210,866 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for North Highlands: 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

North Highlands water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0093 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Lead Inorganic 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
95660 B 1 0 Sacramento Suburban Water District

All ZIP Codes in North Highlands

  • 95660 [B] — 1 violation

Data Sources

Updated daily.

North Highlands Community Health Snapshot

10.2%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17.4%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.2% ↑
Diabetes 11.2% ↑
Mental Health 17.4% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in North Highlands's Water?

Lead 2 violations
Inorganic · EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

North Highlands Infrastructure Age

1963
Median Build Year
83%
Built Before 1986
38%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 83% 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

When a city's housing median build year is 1963, as in North Highlands, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.

1963
Median Year Built
83%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
38%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (38%) 1970–1986 (45%) Post-1986 (17%)

Over half of homes in North Highlands 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 North Highlands

In North Highlands, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.

Median Home Value
$330,600
Est. Remediation
$1,800
Remediation as % of home value 0.5%

Remediation costs in North Highlands are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 55% below the California average.

North Highlands: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

83%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0093
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Older stock in North Highlands represents 83% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

North Highlands: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Flood risk in North Highlands occupies the middle ground: 34 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.

34
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$5,384
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~2
Est. Claims/Year

North Highlands has a moderate flood history with 34 FEMA claims averaging $5,384 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in North Highlands, CA?
North Highlands has an average water safety score of 79/100 (Grade B). 1 EPA violation has been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does North Highlands have?
North Highlands water systems have a total of 1 EPA violation. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does North Highlands water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in North Highlands is 0.0093 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does North Highlands compare to California average?
North Highlands has an average water safety score of 79/100, which is above the California state average of 73/100.
How many water systems serve North Highlands?
North Highlands is served by 4 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 35,668 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in North Highlands?
Estimated remediation costs in North Highlands average $1,800 per household, ranging from $1,200 to $2,600. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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