Santa Barbara, CA: 2 Violations - Home Safety 58/100
17 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Santa Barbara: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Santa Barbara in CA, the pattern is middle-of-the-road - some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Santa Barbara Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Santa Barbara, CA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of Home Safety grades across Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,894 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.9.
Water Systems Serving Santa Barbara
Water supply in Santa Barbara, CA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 8 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 17 ZIP codes in Santa Barbara, California (population ~138,319), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 217,424 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 8 of 17 ZIP codes.
4 of 8 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (50%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Santa Barbara: C (58/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Santa Barbara water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 8 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 17 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 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 | 4 | 3 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93105 | C | 2 | 0 | City of Santa Barbara Water Department |
| 93103 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Santa Barbara Water Department |
| 93108 | C | 1 | 0 | Montecito Water District |
| 93109 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Santa Barbara Water Department |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93101 | C | City of Santa Barbara Water Department | 99,323 |
| 93106 | — | Goleta Water District | 84,462 |
| 93110 | C | Goleta Water District | 84,462 |
| 93111 | C | Goleta Water District | 84,462 |
All ZIP Codes in Santa Barbara
- 93101 [C]
- 93102
- 93103 [C] - 1 violation
- 93105 [C] - 2 violations
- 93106
- 93107
- 93108 [C] - 1 violation
- 93109 [C] - 1 violation
- 93110 [C]
- 93111 [C]
- 93120
- 93121
- 93130
- 93140
- 93150
- 93160
- 93190
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Santa Barbara
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 Santa Barbara
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Santa Barbara: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How much of a Santa Barbara home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction - the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Santa Barbara are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,259–$2,524 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 103% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Santa Barbara
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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara
Historical NFIP data for Santa Barbara contains 924 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $45,140. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 29% 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. The <strong>$1,894</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
What You Can Do in Santa Barbara
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Santa Barbara'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 Santa Barbara, CA