Pala, CA: 40 Health Violations - Home Safety 70/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Pala: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (40 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Unlike many cities its size in CA, Pala keeps health-based violation rates low - systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Pala Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Pala Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 46% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.18.
Who Supplies Your Water in Pala
Water supply in Pala, CA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 5 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pala, California (population ~1,449), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 54,788 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 40 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pala: B (70/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Pala water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 40 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other | 28 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92059 | B | 42 | 40 | Rainbow Municipal Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Pala
- 92059 [B] - 42 violations ⚠
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Pala
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
Top Contaminants in Pala Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Pala
With 46% 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
Development in Pala unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1998 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed - including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Pala were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Pala Homeowners
Low proportionality - that's the Pala picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Pala are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 31% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Pala
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 46% of Pala stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pala, CA