City of Portola
EPA ID: CA3210003 · 2,100 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Where compliant utilities carry no open actions, City of Portola shows 6 active EPA violations in the federal database for a service population of approximately 2,100.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 87% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 3 (2021) to 1 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Portola Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The City of Portola serves a community with a median household income of $52,096 and an estimated 4,903 residents across its service area. Approximately 61% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Portola's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Plumas County, California rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Portola compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Combined Radium at 6 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 5 pCi/L.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in California
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
City of Portola (EPA ID: CA3210003) is a community water system in California that serves approximately 2,100 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (56/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Combined Radium | Health-based | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 6 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 3 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96122 | 0.002 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Portola (CA3210003) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Portola water safe to drink?
City of Portola has recorded 6 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does City of Portola serve?
City of Portola serves approximately 2,100 people across 2 ZIP codes in California.
Where does City of Portola get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Portola (EPA ID: CA3210003) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.