Orange, CA Water Safety: 97/100 (2026)
11 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Orange, CA: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Orange Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Orange, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Orange score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Orange Water
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,560 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.23.
Who Supplies Your Water in Orange
In Orange, CA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 9 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Orange, California (population ~143,750), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 1,474,651 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Orange — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Orange: A (97/100)
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
Orange water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 11 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92856 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92857 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92859 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92862 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92863 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92864 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92865 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92866 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92867 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
| 92868 | A | City of Orange | 120,770 |
All ZIP Codes in Orange
- 92856 [A]
- 92857 [A]
- 92859 [A]
- 92862 [A]
- 92863 [A]
- 92864 [A]
- 92865 [A]
- 92866 [A]
- 92867 [A]
- 92868 [A]
- 92869 [A]
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 Orange
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Orange Homeowners
Remediation costs in Orange are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Orange are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,040–$2,240 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 21% above the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Orange
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.
Lead risk in Orange appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Orange
Flood activity in Orange is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 35-claim record and 36% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Orange has a moderate flood history with 35 FEMA claims averaging $4,315 per payout. 36% 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>$1,560</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 Orange, CA