Riverside, CA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
17 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Riverside tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within CA.
How Riverside Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Riverside, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Riverside's 17 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Riverside Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0003 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,194 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.09 — above typical levels.
Riverside's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Riverside, CA — 11 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 17 ZIP codes in Riverside, California (population ~443,626), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 1,390,451 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Riverside — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Riverside: B (83/100)
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
Riverside water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0003 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): 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92501 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92502 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92503 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92504 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92505 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92506 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92507 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92508 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92509 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
| 92513 | B | City of Riverside, | 298,398 |
All ZIP Codes in Riverside
- 92501 [B]
- 92502 [B]
- 92503 [B]
- 92504 [B]
- 92505 [B]
- 92506 [B]
- 92507 [B]
- 92508 [B]
- 92509 [B]
- 92513 [B]
- 92514 [B]
- 92515 [B]
- 92516 [B]
- 92517 [B]
- 92519 [B]
- 92521 [B]
- 92522 [B]
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.
Riverside 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
How Remediation Costs Compare in Riverside
Given current Riverside valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Riverside are relatively low compared to home values. The $512–$2,012 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% below the California average.
Riverside: 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.
Lead risk in Riverside 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.
Riverside: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Riverside has accumulated 61 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 41% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Riverside has a moderate flood history with 61 FEMA claims averaging $2,733 per payout. 41% 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>$1,194</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 Riverside, CA