Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT

Lemon Grove Elementary School District (CA): 12 Health Violations

7 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · 5,187,489 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Lemon Grove Elementary School District: 19 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

B · 74
Avg Safety Score
7
ZIP Codes
12
Water Systems
40
Violations (5yr)
0.0067 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Lemon Grove Elementary School District in California spans 7 ZIP codes served by 12 community water systems, providing water to approximately 5,187,489 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is B (74/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 60/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 59% of ZIP codes nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0067 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0107 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 7 -

EPA Violation History

12 health-based violations recorded across 4 of 7 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 19 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 24 Yes 3
Total Coliform Microbiological 6 No 3
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 6 Yes 3
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 No 4

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
92105 San Diego C (60) 13 4 0.0107 mg/L No
92114 San Diego C (60) 13 4 0.0107 mg/L No
92115 San Diego C (60) 13 4 0.0107 mg/L No
91977 Spring Valley B (83) 1 0 0.00343 mg/L No
91941 La Mesa A (90) 0 0 0.0023 mg/L No
91942 La Mesa A (90) 0 0 0.0023 mg/L No
91945 Lemon Grove B (73) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
SAN DIEGO, CITY OF 1,385,379 Surface water 91942, 91945, 91977 +3 more
Helix Water District 277,668 Surface water 91941, 91942, 91945 +4 more
OTAY WATER DISTRICT 238,008 Surface water 91941, 91945, 91977, 92114
Sweetwater Authority 191,282 Surface water 91977
Nas North Island & Nab Coronado 36,990 Surface water 92105, 92114, 92115
Campo Hills-county Public Works Wastewtr 500 Surface water 91977
Butterfield Ranch 353 Groundwater 92105, 92114, 92115
Live Oak Springs Water System 317 Groundwater 91977

12 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 7 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 80.3% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 12.6% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 25% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0067 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0107 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

2 health-based contaminants have triggered violations in this district: Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 24 Yes 3
Total Coliform Microbiological 6 No 3
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 6 Yes 3
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 4 No 4

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 92105 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 92105 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 92105 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 92105 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 92105 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Lemon Grove Elementary School District Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Lemon Grove Elementary School District area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 12 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 80.3% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 19 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Lemon Grove Elementary School District school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 19 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Consider a water filter for your home - NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
  4. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  5. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Lemon Grove Elementary School District schools?

Water systems serving Lemon Grove Elementary School District have recorded 12 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Lemon Grove Elementary School District test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → California → Lemon Grove Elementary School District

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Lemon Grove Elementary School District (CA): 12 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/lemon-grove-elementary-school-district-ca/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-lemon-grove-elementary-school-district-ca,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Lemon Grove Elementary School District (CA): 12 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/lemon-grove-elementary-school-district-ca/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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