Sutter Creek, CA: 1 Health Violation — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Sutter Creek, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for CA.
How Sutter Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sutter Creek Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.04 — above typical levels.
Sutter Creek's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Sutter Creek, CA — 9 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sutter Creek, California (population ~4,611), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 30,989 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sutter Creek: C (69/100)
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
Sutter Creek water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sutter Creek
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95685 | C | 3 | 1 | Awa, Ione |
All ZIP Codes in Sutter Creek
- 95685 [C] — 3 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
Updated daily.
Sutter Creek 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
What's in Sutter Creek's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Sutter Creek 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
Because the majority of Sutter Creek's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1972 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Sutter Creek 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 Sutter Creek
The household financial picture for Sutter Creek homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Sutter Creek are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 26% below the California average.
Sutter Creek: 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 Sutter Creek 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.
Sutter Creek: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Sutter Creek falls in moderate-exposure territory — 22 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Sutter Creek has a moderate flood history with 22 FEMA claims averaging $9,499 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>$1,900</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.
What You Can Do in Sutter Creek
- 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Sutter Creek's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 62% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sutter Creek, CA