Public water monitoring in Sacramento shows a safety record well above the CA median - health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Sacramento

We track water quality and home safety data for 102 ZIP codes in Sacramento, California, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 846,557 people.

102 of 102 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 204 total, including 102 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (81/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• 69% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 16% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1972
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 52/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 21%
• 21 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 69% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Sacramento residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

325,298 total housing units across 102 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Sacramento:

• 2,704 flood insurance claims on record
• $20,559,759 total paid out
• $7,603 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: A99 (High risk)
• 24 of 102 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 102 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Sacramento Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Sacramento has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Sacramento

• 94203 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94204 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94205 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94206 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94207 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94208 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94209 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94211 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94229 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94230 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94232 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94234 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94235 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94236 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94237 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94239 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94240 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94244 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94245 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94246 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94247 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94248 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94249 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94250 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94252 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94254 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94256 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94257 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94258 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94259 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94261 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94262 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94263 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94267 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94268 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94269 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94271 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94273 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94274 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94277 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94278 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94279 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94280 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94282 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94283 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94284 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94285 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94286 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94287 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94288 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94289 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94290 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94291 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94293 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94294 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94295 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94296 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94297 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94298 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 94299 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95811 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95812 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95813 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95814 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95815 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95816 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95817 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95818 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95819 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95820 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95821 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95822 [C] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95823 [C] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95824 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95825 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95826 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95827 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95828 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95829 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95830 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95831 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95832 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95833 [C] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95834 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95835 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95836 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95837 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95838 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95840 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95841 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95842 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95851 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95852 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95853 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95860 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95864 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95865 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95866 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95867 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95887 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95894 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
• 95899 [B] - 2 violations ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Sacramento, CA?

Sacramento has an average Home Safety Score of 81/100 (grade B) across 102 ZIP codes. There are 204 recorded EPA violations, 102 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Is Sacramento at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 2,704 flood insurance claims in Sacramento ZIP codes, with an average payout of $7,603. 24 of 102 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Sacramento homes?

69% of Sacramento housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 16% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 21%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Sacramento water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 2 DBP Rule. Across 102 ZIP codes, 102 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Lead solder was federally prohibited in new plumbing in 1986. In Sacramento, the median build year of 1972 puts a majority of homes in the lower-risk category for that specific contamination pathway - though the pre-1986 share shown above still carries real exposure potential at the individual household level.

1972

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Sacramento 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.

Sacramento: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Sacramento has accumulated 2704 claims - a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 0% 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.

2,704

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~135

Est. Claims/Year

Sacramento has a moderate flood history with 2,704 FEMA claims. 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.

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.