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.

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

Water Quality in San Diego

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 - 1,053 total, including 324 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (60/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0107 mg/L
• 63% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 10% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1978
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 65/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 19%
• 28 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 63% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, San Diego 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

526,312 total housing units across 81 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for San Diego:

• 794 flood insurance claims on record
• $23,711,253 total paid out
• $29,863 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 7 of 81 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 80 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What San Diego 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 San Diego 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 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 ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in San Diego, CA?

San Diego has an average Home Safety Score of 60/100 (grade C) across 81 ZIP codes. There are 1053 recorded EPA violations, 324 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does San Diego have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across San Diego is 0.0107 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 63% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is San Diego at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 794 flood insurance claims in San Diego ZIP codes, with an average payout of $29,863. 7 of 81 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in San Diego homes?

63% of San Diego housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 10% 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 19%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in San Diego water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Coliform, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Across 81 ZIP codes, 81 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

Banned from residential plumbing in 1986, lead solder was a near-universal feature of copper plumbing before that cutoff. In San Diego, where the median build year is 1978, the majority of housing falls into the post-ban category - though the older fraction of the stock still carries the residual risk that comes with pre-1986 pipe and solder materials.

1978

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in San Diego 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.

Protecting Children from Lead in San Diego

0.0107

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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

Although San Diego's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 794 claims and FEMA maps place 0% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones - a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.

794

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~40

Est. Claims/Year

San Diego has a moderate flood history with 794 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.