Shandon, CA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Shandon, EPA data shows a below-average compliance pattern for CA — health-based violations are on file in several areas, and checking the specific system serving your address is a practical first step for concerned residents.
How Shandon Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Shandon Water
- Homes built before 1986: 46% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.26.
Who Supplies Your Water in Shandon
Water service in Shandon, CA is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Shandon, California (population ~1,353), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 31,176 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Shandon — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Shandon: D (53/100)
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
Shandon water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Shandon
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93461 | D | CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION | 31,176 |
All ZIP Codes in Shandon
- 93461 [D]
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.
Health Outcomes in Shandon
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Shandon
With 46% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because Shandon's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1982 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Shandon 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Shandon Homeowners
Equity impact data for Shandon lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Shandon are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Shandon
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Shandon have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 46% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Shandon
- 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. With 46% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Shandon, CA