Woodlake, CA Water Safety: 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Woodlake tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for CA — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Woodlake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Woodlake Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.22 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Woodlake
Consolidated water delivery characterizes Woodlake, CA: among 1 system in federal records, one utility holds the dominant service position — carrying the rate-setting authority, the infrastructure obligations, and the EPA reporting burden for most residential addresses.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Woodlake, California, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 10,516 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Woodlake — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Woodlake: B (70/100)
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
Woodlake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Woodlake
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93286 | B | City of Woodlake, | 7,846 |
All ZIP Codes in Woodlake
- 93286 [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.
CDC Health Data for Woodlake
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 Woodlake's Housing Stock?
With 59% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1988 places Woodlake's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Woodlake 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.
Woodlake: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Woodlake market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Woodlake are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% below the California average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Woodlake
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.
Wherever 59% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Woodlake — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Woodlake
Woodlake's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 24 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Woodlake has a moderate flood history with 24 FEMA claims averaging $25,660 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>$2,200</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 Woodlake, CA