San Jose, CA: 57 Health Violations — 81/100 (2026)
57 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, San Jose holds an above-average drinking water safety record for CA — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How San Jose Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: San Jose, 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 Jose.
San Jose Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 57 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0045 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,611 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.01.
Water Systems Serving San Jose
Across San Jose, CA, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 7 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 57 ZIP codes in San Jose, California (population ~1,014,813), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 2,009,204 people region-wide.
57 of 57 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 57 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for San Jose: 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
San Jose water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0045 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): 57 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 58 | 57 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95101 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95103 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95106 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95108 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95109 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95110 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95111 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95112 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95113 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
| 95115 | B | 1 | 1 | San Jose Water |
All ZIP Codes in San Jose
- 95101 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95103 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95106 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95108 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95109 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95110 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95111 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95112 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95113 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95115 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95116 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95117 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95118 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95119 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95120 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95121 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95122 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95123 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95124 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95125 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95126 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95127 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95128 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95129 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95130 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95131 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95132 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95133 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95134 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95135 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95136 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95138 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95139 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95141 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95148 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95150 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95151 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95152 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95153 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95154 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95155 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95156 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95157 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95158 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95159 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95160 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95161 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95164 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95170 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95172 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95173 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95190 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95191 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95192 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95193 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95194 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
- 95196 [B] — 1 violation ⚠
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 Jose
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 Jose
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
San Jose: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across San Jose, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in San Jose are relatively low compared to home values. The $756–$2,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 59% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in San Jose
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 Jose 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 Jose
San Jose carries a substantial flood exposure profile — 620 claims filed over the program's long tracking window and 40% of ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. For water quality, that exposure level means flooding has likely stressed local treatment and distribution infrastructure on multiple occasions, creating periodic windows of elevated contamination risk.
San Jose has a significant flood history with 620 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $6,400 per claim. With 40% 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>$1,611</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 San Jose, CA