Rail Road Flat, CA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Rail Road Flat, EPA compliance records fall well below CA averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Rail Road Flat Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Rail Road Flat Water
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.81 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Rail Road Flat
The structure of water supply in Rail Road Flat, CA is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rail Road Flat, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 66 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Rail Road Flat — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rail Road Flat: D (53/100)
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
Rail Road Flat water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Rail Road Flat
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95248 | D | LILI VALLEY WATER CO. | 99 |
All ZIP Codes in Rail Road Flat
- 95248 [D]
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 Rail Road Flat
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Rail Road Flat
With 60% 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
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Rail Road Flat's housing stock carries a median build year of 1972. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Rail Road Flat were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Rail Road Flat
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.
Routinely in Rail Road Flat, where 60% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Rail Road Flat
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rail Road Flat, CA