CITY REPORT CA 27 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

San Jose, CA: 27 Health Violations - null

57 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

57
ZIP Codes
10
Water Systems
25
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)

San Jose Water: The Quick Version

  • Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.

Water Quality in San Jose

We track home safety signals for 57 ZIP codes in San Jose, California. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 28 ZIP codes and 10 water systems.

25 of 28 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (89%) have recorded EPA violations - 35 total, including 27 health-based violations.

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
E. coli Microbiological 25 25
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 6 3
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 2

Lead Risk

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 mg/L
  • 0 of 28 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 68% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 8% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1977
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 50/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
  • 21 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 68% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, San Jose 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

347,732 total housing units across 57 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 18,836 5%
1940–1949 11,915 3%
1950–1959 40,214 12%
1960–1969 62,227 18%
1970–1979 81,687 23%
1980–1989 42,108 12%
1990–1999 33,633 10%
2000–2009 32,352 9%
2010–2019 23,543 7%
2020+ 1,217 0%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for San Jose:

  • 620 flood insurance claims on record
  • $9,464,639 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 357 claims with payment data
  • 263 claims without reported payment fields
  • $26,512 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: A (A/V-family)
  • 19 of 23 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 57 ZIP records with zone data: 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.

What San Jose 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 Jose 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)

Test for Radon

  • San Jose is in a moderate-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in San Jose

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Jose have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across San Jose is 0.0006 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 28 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 68% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is San Jose at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 620 flood insurance claim records in San Jose ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $26,512 among 357 claims with payment data. 263 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 23 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 19 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in San Jose homes?

68% of San Jose housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 8% 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 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in San Jose water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are E. coli, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Across 28 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 25 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

How Old Is San Jose's Housing Stock?

1977
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Median build year of 1977 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Housing age matters for water quality because lead solder was widely used in plumbing until the 1986 federal ban. San Jose's median build year of 1977 suggests a majority of homes were constructed under the newer standard - a meaningful factor when assessing household-level lead risk from tap water.

1977
Median Year Built
0%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in San Jose 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 Jose

0.0006
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 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.

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for San Jose

620
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$26,512
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
83%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for San Jose contains 620 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $26,512. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 83% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for San Jose, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

How many water violations does San Jose have?
San Jose water systems have a total of 35 EPA violations, including 27 health-based violations. Violations are tracked across 57 ZIP codes.
Does San Jose water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in San Jose is 0.0006 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve San Jose?
San Jose is served by 10 public water systems across 57 ZIP codes, serving approximately 1,014,813 people.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). San Jose, CA: 27 Health Violations - null. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ca/san-jose/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ca-san-jose,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{San Jose, CA: 27 Health Violations - null}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ca/san-jose/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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