South El Monte, CA: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 54/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South El Monte: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
If you're researching South El Monte, CA tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average - health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How South El Monte Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
South El Monte Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 81% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.71.
Water Systems Serving South El Monte
With 3 utilities splitting service in South El Monte, CA, water accountability is distributed across 5 systems on the federal record.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South El Monte, California (population ~41,716), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 325,821 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South El Monte: D (54/100)
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
South El Monte water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91733 | D | 2 | 1 | San Gabriel Valley Water Company-el Monte |
All ZIP Codes in South El Monte
- 91733 [D] - 2 violations ⚠
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 South El Monte
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 South El Monte
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is South El Monte's Housing Stock?
With 81% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in South El Monte - it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1950 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in South El Monte 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.
South El Monte: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for South El Monte lands in the favorable tier - remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in South El Monte are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South El Monte
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet - and where 81% of South El Monte homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for South El Monte
Historical NFIP data for South El Monte contains 2 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,910. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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>$2,200</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 South El Monte
- 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 Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in South El Monte's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% 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 South El Monte, CA