How much lead is in California water?

The maximum detected level of lead in California water is 14 ppb. The EPA limit is 15 ppb (action level). See the ZIP code table above for area-specific levels.

Detected Lead

Lead in California, MD Drinking Water

Q: Is lead in California water safe?

Lead was detected in California water at 14 ppb, below the EPA limit of 15 ppb (action level). Check ZIP-level data on this page for your specific area.

Lead data for California, Maryland · 14,743 residents · 1 ZIP code

ZipCheckup's reading of Lead in California, Maryland: the highest detected level is 14 ppb; the EPA limit is 15 ppb (action level). Lead carries a high health-risk designation.

Not every city shows Lead in its water data; in California, Maryland, federal sampling has confirmed its presence at detectable levels in at least one recent reporting cycle.

14 ppb

Max Level Detected

14 ppb

Average Level

15 ppb (action level)

EPA action level

High

Health Risk

Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53 Carbon Block

Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-07-13

Lead in California Tap Water

Lead has been detected in California, Maryland drinking water at a maximum level of 14 ppb — below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (action level).

This analysis covers 14,743 residents across 1 ZIP code in California.

California's overall water quality grade is D (53/100).

Is Lead in California Water Safe?

Lead was detected in California water but currently falls within EPA limits. However, some health organizations argue the EPA action level may not be protective enough — the CDC states there is no safe level of lead for children.

If you are concerned, a reverse osmosis or nsf 53 carbon block filter can reduce lead levels further.

Lead Levels by ZIP Code

ZIP Code	Lead Level	EPA Limit	Status
20619	14 ppb	15 ppb (action level)	OK

Average lead level across California: 14 ppb

Health Effects of Lead

Brain development delays and reduced IQ in children
Behavioral problems and learning disabilities
High blood pressure and kidney damage in adults
Increased risk of premature birth in pregnant women

Health risk severity: High. Governed by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR/LCRI).

How Lead Gets Into Drinking Water

Corrosion of lead service lines (pipes connecting water main to home)
Lead solder in copper plumbing joints (pre-1986 homes)
Brass fixtures and faucets manufactured before 2014
Stagnant water that sits in lead-containing pipes overnight

What to Do About Lead in California Water

Install an NSF 53 or NSF 58 certified filter at kitchen sink
Run cold water for 30 seconds before using for drinking or cooking
Use cold water only for cooking and preparing formula
Consider whole-home reverse osmosis if lead service line is present

Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 for lead removal.

Home → Contaminants → Lead → Maryland → California

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Lead in California, MD Drinking Water. https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/lead/california-md/

BibTeX

@misc{zipcheckup-contaminants-lead-california-md,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Lead in California, MD Drinking Water}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/contaminants/lead/california-md/}
}

Data as of July 2026.