Ridgecrest, CA Water Safety: 81/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Ridgecrest, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above CA's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Ridgecrest Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Ridgecrest Water
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.57 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ridgecrest
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Ridgecrest, CA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Ridgecrest, California, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 33,629 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ridgecrest — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ridgecrest: B (81/100)
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
Ridgecrest water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0013 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93555 | B | Indian Wells Valley W.d. | 41,580 |
| 93556 | B | Indian Wells Valley W.d. | 41,580 |
All ZIP Codes in Ridgecrest
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 Ridgecrest
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Ridgecrest Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Ridgecrest picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Ridgecrest are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 68% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ridgecrest
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 Ridgecrest 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Ridgecrest
Flood activity in Ridgecrest is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 29-claim record and 50% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Ridgecrest has a moderate flood history with 29 FEMA claims averaging $6,579 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 Ridgecrest, CA