Sierraville, CA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Sierraville's tap water quality puts it in CA's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Sierraville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sierraville Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0035 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.46 — above typical levels.
Sierraville's Water Providers
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Sierraville, CA — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sierraville, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 233 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Sierraville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sierraville: B (83/100)
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
Sierraville water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0035 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96126 | B | Sierraville P.u.d. | 200 |
All ZIP Codes in Sierraville
- 96126 [B]
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.
Sierraville Community Health Snapshot
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
Sierraville Infrastructure Age
With 65% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Sierraville sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1988 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Sierraville were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sierraville
Placing remediation in the context of Sierraville's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Sierraville are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 8% above the California average.
Sierraville: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Wherever 65% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Sierraville — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sierraville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Sierraville's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 7 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Sierraville has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $21,881 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$2,200</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 Sierraville, CA