Palo Alto, CA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable
6 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Palo Alto Water: The Quick Version
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0038 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 9.01.
Water Systems Serving Palo Alto
The 3 largest of 8 systems connected with Palo Alto, CA are listed below.
Overview
We track home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Palo Alto, California (population ~96,507), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 296,011 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 4 of 6 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 4 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Palo Alto water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0038 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 4 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
6 of 6 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94301 | — | City of Palo Alto | 67,231 |
| 94303 | — | City of East Palo Alto | 29,519 |
| 94304 | — | City of Palo Alto | 67,231 |
| 94306 | — | City of Palo Alto | 67,231 |
All ZIP Codes in Palo Alto
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.
CDC Health Data for Palo Alto
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Palo Alto's Housing Stock?
With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Palo Alto has a median build year of 1970; houses completed ahead of 1986 can hold lead-bearing solder or fittings.
Over half of homes in Palo Alto were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Palo Alto: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Palo Alto, estimated remediation comes to 1% or less of the median home value.
Estimated remediation costs in Palo Alto can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 171% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Palo Alto
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Palo Alto
Historical NFIP data for Palo Alto contains 543 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $24,183. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $500 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Palo Alto, CA