Tehama, CA Water Safety: 77/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Tehama records above-average water quality outcomes for CA; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Tehama Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Tehama Water
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.63 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Tehama
For most households in Tehama, CA, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Tehama, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 395 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Tehama — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Tehama: B (77/100)
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
Tehama water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Tehama
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96090 | B | City of Tehama | 483 |
All ZIP Codes in Tehama
- 96090 [B]
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.
Health Outcomes in Tehama
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Tehama
With 83% 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
What does a median build year of 1965 mean for water safety in Tehama? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Tehama 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Tehama Homeowners
Within the Tehama market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Tehama are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 64% below the California average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Tehama
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.
If 83% of the Tehama inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Tehama
FEMA data shows 100% of Tehama's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 69 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Tehama has a moderate flood history with 69 FEMA claims averaging $8,058 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>$1,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Tehama, CA