South Lake Tahoe, CA: 14 Violations - Home Safety 61/100
8 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for South Lake Tahoe: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
South Lake Tahoe, CA: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How South Lake Tahoe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
South Lake Tahoe Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0044 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,375 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.85.
Water Systems Serving South Lake Tahoe
Structurally, South Lake Tahoe, CA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 5 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in South Lake Tahoe, California (population ~29,527), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 113,006 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 8 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Lake Tahoe: C (61/100)
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 Lake Tahoe water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0044 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96150 | C | 14 | 0 | South Tahoe Pud - Main |
All ZIP Codes in South Lake Tahoe
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 Lake Tahoe
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 Lake Tahoe
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
South Lake Tahoe: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most homeowners in South Lake Tahoe, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth - placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in South Lake Tahoe are relatively low compared to home values. The $650–$2,213 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in South Lake Tahoe
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 South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe
Historical NFIP data for South Lake Tahoe contains 74 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $20,390. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 40% 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>$1,375</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 Lake Tahoe
- 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 Barium can reduce the most common contaminant found in South Lake Tahoe'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 South Lake Tahoe, CA