Petaluma, CA: 6 Health Violations — 89/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Petaluma hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in CA with few health-based violations on file.
How Petaluma Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Petaluma, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Petaluma.
Petaluma Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0004 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.32.
Water Systems Serving Petaluma
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Petaluma, CA's residential water connections out of 8 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Petaluma, California (population ~71,339), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 176,127 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Petaluma: A (89/100)
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
Petaluma water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0004 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): 6 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94952 | B | 2 | 1 | City of Petaluma, |
| 94953 | A | 2 | 1 | City of Petaluma, |
| 94954 | A | 2 | 1 | City of Petaluma, |
| 94955 | A | 2 | 1 | City of Petaluma, |
| 94975 | A | 2 | 1 | City of Petaluma, |
| 94999 | A | 2 | 1 | City of Petaluma, |
All ZIP Codes in Petaluma
- 94952 [B] — 2 violations ⚠
- 94953 [A] — 2 violations ⚠
- 94954 [A] — 2 violations ⚠
- 94955 [A] — 2 violations ⚠
- 94975 [A] — 2 violations ⚠
- 94999 [A] — 2 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.
CDC Health Data for Petaluma
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Petaluma
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Petaluma: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Petaluma homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Petaluma are relatively low compared to home values. The $617–$1,617 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Petaluma
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 Petaluma 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Petaluma
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Petaluma, that record documents 498 claims and 50% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Petaluma has a moderate flood history with 498 FEMA claims averaging $23,663 per payout. 50% 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>$1,000</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 Petaluma, CA