Palmdale, CA: 6 Violations — 81/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Palmdale tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for CA — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Palmdale Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Palmdale, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Palmdale's 6 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Palmdale Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,567 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.71.
Palmdale's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 10 systems in Palmdale, CA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Palmdale, California (population ~186,319), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 365,922 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Palmdale: B (81/100)
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
Palmdale water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 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): 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93550 | B | 1 | 0 | Palmdale Water District |
| 93551 | B | 1 | 0 | Palmdale Water District |
| 93552 | B | 1 | 0 | Palmdale Water District |
| 93590 | B | 1 | 0 | Palmdale Water District |
| 93591 | B | 1 | 0 | Palmdale Water District |
| 93599 | B | 1 | 0 | Palmdale Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Palmdale
- 93550 [B] — 1 violation
- 93551 [B] — 1 violation
- 93552 [B] — 1 violation
- 93590 [B] — 1 violation
- 93591 [B] — 1 violation
- 93599 [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.
Palmdale Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Palmdale's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Palmdale Infrastructure Age
With 47% 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
Prohibited from residential plumbing since 1986, lead solder divides Palmdale's housing stock along a timeline that the median build year of 1991 straddles. A meaningful share of homes predates the ban — a configuration that places moderate aggregate pressure on plumbing-related lead risk, distributed unevenly across neighborhoods.
Most homes in Palmdale 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Palmdale
In Palmdale, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Palmdale are relatively low compared to home values. The $767–$2,517 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 44% below the California average.
Palmdale: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Palmdale — 47% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Palmdale: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood exposure in Palmdale is meaningful by NFIP measures — 30 claims on record and 67% 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.
Palmdale has a moderate flood history with 30 FEMA claims averaging $13,796 per payout. 67% 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>$1,567</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 Palmdale, CA