Palm Springs, CA: 4 Health Violations — 74/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike many cities its size in CA, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Palm Springs Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.09 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Palm Springs
Residential addresses in Palm Springs, CA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 5 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 4 ZIP codes in Palm Springs, California (population ~46,314), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 392,921 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Palm Springs: B (74/100)
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
Palm Springs water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 5 | 4 |
| Contaminant 1996 | Other | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92262 | C | 4 | 1 | Desert Water Agency |
| 92263 | B | 4 | 1 | Desert Water Agency |
| 92264 | C | 4 | 1 | Desert Water Agency |
| 92292 | B | 4 | 1 | Desert Water Agency |
All ZIP Codes in Palm Springs
- 92262 [C] — 4 violations ⚠
- 92263 [B] — 4 violations ⚠
- 92264 [C] — 4 violations ⚠
- 92292 [B] — 4 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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Palm Springs
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 Palm Springs Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Palm Springs Homeowners
Property equity in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs are relatively low compared to home values. The $750–$2,750 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Palm Springs
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 Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs
Flood exposure in Palm Springs is meaningful by NFIP measures — 232 claims on record and 75% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Palm Springs has a moderate flood history with 232 FEMA claims averaging $3,977 per payout. 75% 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>$1,600</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 Palm Springs, CA