San Diego, CA: 324 Health Violations — 60/100 (2026)
81 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in San Diego, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for CA.
How San Diego Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: San Diego, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across San Diego.
San Diego Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1053 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0107 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,165 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.19.
Water Systems Serving San Diego
Water supply in San Diego, CA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 12 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 81 ZIP codes in San Diego, California (population ~1,330,316), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 2,393,809 people region-wide.
81 of 81 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 324 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for San Diego: C (60/100)
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
San Diego water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0107 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 80 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 656 | 81 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 164 | 81 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 164 | 81 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 82 | 81 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92101 | F | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92102 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92103 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92104 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92105 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92106 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92107 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92108 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92109 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
| 92110 | C | 13 | 4 | City of San Diego, |
All ZIP Codes in San Diego
- 92101 [F] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92102 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92103 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92104 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92105 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92106 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92107 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92108 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92109 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92110 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92111 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92112 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92113 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92114 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92115 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92116 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92117 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92119 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92120 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92121 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92122 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92123 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92124 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92126 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92127 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92128 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92129 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92130 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92131 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92132 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92133 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92134 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92135 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92136 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92137 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92138 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92139 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92140 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92142 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92145 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92147 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92149 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92150 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92152 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92153 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92154 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92155 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92158 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92159 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92160 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92161 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92162 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92163 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92164 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92165 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92166 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92167 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92168 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92169 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92170 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92171 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92172 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92174 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92175 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92176 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92177 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92179 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92182 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92184 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92186 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92187 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92190 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92191 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92192 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92193 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92194 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92195 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92196 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92197 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92198 [C] — 13 violations ⚠
- 92199 [C] — 13 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.
CDC Health Data for San Diego
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
Key Contaminants Detected in San Diego
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
San Diego: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in San Diego runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in San Diego are relatively low compared to home values. The $680–$2,327 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 18% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in San Diego
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 San Diego 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for San Diego
Across the years captured by NFIP data, San Diego has logged 794 flood insurance claims and carries 37% of its ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — a sustained record consistent with high flood exposure. The water quality implications run through several pathways: treatment systems repeatedly stressed by high-volume intake, private wells in FEMA zones facing recurring infiltration risk, and distribution infrastructure that has likely experienced multiple backflow episodes during large events.
San Diego has a significant flood history with 794 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $17,108 per claim. With 37% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,165</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 San Diego
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in San Diego's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for San Diego, CA