Trabuco Canyon, CA Water Safety: 93/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Trabuco Canyon, safety indicators for tap water remain above the CA median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Trabuco Canyon Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Trabuco Canyon Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0039 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,450 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.23.
Water Systems Serving Trabuco Canyon
Trabuco Canyon, CA draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 3 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Trabuco Canyon, California (population ~31,634), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 626,748 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Trabuco Canyon — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Trabuco Canyon: A (93/100)
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
Trabuco Canyon water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0039 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92678 | A | Trabuco Canyon Water District | 13,659 |
| 92679 | A | Trabuco Canyon Water District | 13,659 |
All ZIP Codes in Trabuco Canyon
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.
CDC Health Data for Trabuco Canyon
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
How Old Is Trabuco Canyon's Housing Stock?
With 53% 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 1974 mean for water safety in Trabuco Canyon? 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 Trabuco Canyon 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.
Trabuco Canyon: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Trabuco Canyon, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Trabuco Canyon are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$2,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 68% above the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Trabuco Canyon
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 53% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Trabuco Canyon.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Trabuco Canyon
FEMA data shows 100% of Trabuco Canyon's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 20 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Trabuco Canyon has a moderate flood history with 20 FEMA claims averaging $5,335 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>$1,450</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 Trabuco Canyon, CA