Sunnyvale, CA Home Safety: Home Safety Score unavailable
5 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Sunnyvale Residents
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 62% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,680 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.01.
Sunnyvale's Water Providers
Structurally, Sunnyvale, CA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 6 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.
Overview
We track home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Sunnyvale, California (population ~153,455), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 501,681 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 4 of 5 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 4 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Sunnyvale water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 4 ZIP codes 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): 5 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94085 | — | City of Sunnyvale | 157,566 |
| 94086 | — | City of Sunnyvale | 157,566 |
| 94087 | — | Cwsc Los Altos Suburban | 69,973 |
| 94089 | — | City of Sunnyvale | 157,566 |
All ZIP Codes in Sunnyvale
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.
Sunnyvale 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
Sunnyvale Infrastructure Age
With 62% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1979, as in Sunnyvale, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale
In Sunnyvale, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Sunnyvale are relatively low compared to home values. The $840–$2,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 142% above the California average.
Sunnyvale: 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 62% pre-rule share in Sunnyvale keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sunnyvale: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Sunnyvale contains 15 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $14,252. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 75% 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>$1,680</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sunnyvale, CA