Rancho Palos Verdes, CA: 5 Health Violations — 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Across Rancho Palos Verdes, EPA compliance data for CA sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Rancho Palos Verdes Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Rancho Palos Verdes Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.71.
Who Supplies Your Water in Rancho Palos Verdes
Federal records list 2 water systems tied to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Of those, 2 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rancho Palos Verdes, California (population ~41,367), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,875,631 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rancho Palos Verdes: C (63/100)
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 Palos Verdes water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90275 | C | 5 | 5 | Los Angeles-city, Department of Water & Power |
All ZIP Codes in Rancho Palos Verdes
- 90275 [C] — 5 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.
Health Outcomes in Rancho Palos Verdes
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
Top Contaminants in Rancho Palos Verdes Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Rancho Palos Verdes
With 90% 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
The character of Rancho Palos Verdes's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1963 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Rancho Palos Verdes 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Rancho Palos Verdes Homeowners
Equity impact data for Rancho Palos Verdes lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Rancho Palos Verdes are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 109% above the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Rancho Palos Verdes
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Rancho Palos Verdes have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 90% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Rancho Palos Verdes
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Rancho Palos Verdes shows 9 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Rancho Palos Verdes has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $29,074 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>$2,800</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 Palos Verdes
- 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. Filters rated for Barium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Rancho Palos Verdes's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 90% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA