Santa Monica, CA Home Safety: Home Safety 58/100
11 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Santa Monica: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Although much of Santa Monica meets baseline drinking water standards, some CA-tracked service areas show violations that merit a closer look - particularly for older housing stock.
How Santa Monica Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Santa Monica, 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 Monica.
Santa Monica Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,382 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.71.
Water Systems Serving Santa Monica
2 water utilities share the residential service territory in Santa Monica, CA - out of 2 total systems in federal records.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Santa Monica, California (population ~93,880), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,965,513 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 5 of 11 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 5 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Santa Monica: 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 Monica water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 5 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 11 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90401 | C | Santa Monica-city, Water Division | 89,947 |
| 90402 | C | Santa Monica-city, Water Division | 89,947 |
| 90403 | C | Santa Monica-city, Water Division | 89,947 |
| 90404 | C | Santa Monica-city, Water Division | 89,947 |
| 90405 | C | Santa Monica-city, Water Division | 89,947 |
All ZIP Codes in Santa Monica
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 Monica
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
Santa Monica: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Santa Monica home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier - addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Santa Monica are relatively low compared to home values. The $655–$2,209 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 110% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Santa Monica
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 Monica 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 Monica
Historical NFIP data for Santa Monica contains 78 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,195. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 20% 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>$1,382</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 Monica
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- 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 Monica, CA