Rancho Mirage, CA Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Rancho Mirage, CA near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Rancho Mirage Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Rancho Mirage Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 48% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.09 — above typical levels.
Rancho Mirage's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Rancho Mirage, CA are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 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 1 ZIP code in Rancho Mirage, California (population ~17,375), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 344,807 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Rancho Mirage — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rancho Mirage: D (50/100)
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
Rancho Mirage water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Rancho Mirage
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92270 | D | COACHELLA VWD: COVE COMMUNITY | 270,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Rancho Mirage
- 92270 [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.
Rancho Mirage 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
Rancho Mirage Infrastructure Age
With 48% 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
Tap water lead levels are shaped by two factors: what the utility delivers, and what the household plumbing adds to it. Older homes contribute disproportionately to that second variable because lead solder was standard in copper plumbing before 1986, and lead pipes were common before 1970. In Rancho Mirage, where the median build year is 1983, a substantial share of the housing stock falls into these older categories. The bar chart above breaks out the pre-1970, 1970-to-1986, and post-1986 segments — the key ages for understanding where plumbing-era risk concentrates across the city.
Most homes in Rancho Mirage 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 Rancho Mirage
Setting Rancho Mirage remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Rancho Mirage are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the California average.
Rancho Mirage: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 48% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Rancho Mirage.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Rancho Mirage: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood exposure in Rancho Mirage is meaningful by NFIP measures — 102 claims on record and 100% 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.
Rancho Mirage has a moderate flood history with 102 FEMA claims averaging $5,830 per payout. 100% 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.
What You Can Do in Rancho Mirage
- 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 48% 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 Rancho Mirage, CA