Data: EPA ECHO, Census ACS, NTSB Last verified: 2026-05-03

What is infrastructure decay probability?

Infrastructure decay probability estimates the likelihood of water pipe deterioration based on pipe age, material type, violation history, and environmental conditions. Higher probability means greater risk of water main breaks, pressure drops, and contamination from aging pipes. The national average hovers around 30-40%. South Lake Tahoe's average is 34%.

What are CO/gas incidents?

Carbon monoxide (CO) and gas incidents tracked by the NTSB include pipeline failures, gas leaks, and CO exposure events. CO is odorless and can be fatal — the CDC reports about 420 deaths annually from unintentional CO poisoning. Every home should have working CO detectors on each floor, tested monthly. South Lake Tahoe has 4 recorded incidents in the NTSB database.

Infrastructure Risk Distribution

How South Lake Tahoe's {totalZips} ZIP codes are distributed by infrastructure risk level:

Low 0 ZIPs

Moderate 6 ZIPs

High 2 ZIPs

Very High 0 ZIPs

Infrastructure Risk Overview

South Lake Tahoe, California has moderate infrastructure risk with an average decay probability of 34%. Some portions of the water system may require attention as infrastructure ages.

Infrastructure decay probability measures the likelihood of pipe failure, water main breaks, and system degradation based on pipe age, material, violation history, and environmental factors.

Key Infrastructure Metrics

Metric	Value
Decay probability	34%
Risk level	moderate
Water systems	5
Median build year	1959
Pre-1986 housing	85%
CO/gas incidents	4
ZIP codes	8
Population	107,415

Infrastructure Risk Distribution

How South Lake Tahoe's 8 ZIP codes are distributed by infrastructure risk level:

25% of South Lake Tahoe's ZIP codes have high or very-high infrastructure risk. Residents in these areas should be especially vigilant about water quality and pipe condition.

Water System Age and Pipe Materials

The median home in South Lake Tahoe was built in 1959 (approximately 67 years old). Housing age is one of the strongest proxies for water infrastructure age, as service lines and interior plumbing were typically installed during construction.

Pipe material risks by era:

With 85% of South Lake Tahoe's homes built before 1986, a significant portion of residential plumbing may contain lead solder or aging pipe materials.

Carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety

4 CO/gas incidents have been recorded in the county covering South Lake Tahoe. The average CO risk score is 2 out of 100.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless — it is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the U.S. Risk factors include:

• Gas furnaces, water heaters, and stoves
• Attached garages
• Blocked chimneys or vents
• Portable generators used indoors

Prevention:

• Install CO detectors on every level, especially near bedrooms
• Have gas appliances inspected annually
• Never run generators, grills, or cars in enclosed spaces
• Replace CO detectors every 5-7 years

What Homeowners Can Do

Pipe Inspection

• Hire a licensed plumber to inspect your service line and interior plumbing
• Check for discolored water (brown/orange = rust; white/cloudy = air or sediment)
• Test water pressure — low pressure may indicate buildup in aging pipes
• Look for visible corrosion on exposed pipes in basement or utility areas

Water Heater Maintenance

• Flush your water heater annually to remove sediment
• Check the anode rod every 2-3 years (prevents tank corrosion)
• Set temperature to 120F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use
• Replace water heaters older than 10-15 years proactively

CO Detector Placement

• One detector per floor, minimum
• Within 10 feet of each bedroom door
• Near attached garage and utility room
• 5 feet above the floor (CO rises with warm air) or on the ceiling
• Not near windows, doors, or HVAC vents (air movement causes false readings)

South Lake Tahoe vs. Nearby California Cities

How South Lake Tahoe's infrastructure compares to nearby cities:

ZIP Codes in South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe covers 8 ZIP codes served by 5 water systems. Infrastructure condition varies by ZIP code based on housing age, pipe material, and water system maintenance. Check your specific ZIP code for localized data.

Data Sources

• Water systems: EPA ECHO — Enforcement and Compliance History Online
• Infrastructure risk: Derived model (housing age, violation history, system assessments)
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
• CO/gas incidents: NTSB, PHMSA pipeline incident reports

Updated daily.

Water Quality Map: South Lake Tahoe, CA

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Infrastructure Risk by ZIP Code in South Lake Tahoe

Infrastructure risk varies across South Lake Tahoe's 8 ZIP codes based on system age, pipe materials, and violation history.

ZIP Code	Grade	Score	Violations
96150	B	70/100	4	View report →
96151	B	80/100	4	View report →
96152	B	80/100	4	View report →
96154	B	80/100	4	View report →
96155	B	80/100	4	View report →
96156	B	80/100	4	View report →
96157	B	80/100	4	View report →
96158	B	80/100	4	View report →