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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Analysis of lead contamination levels across California cities
These cities have lead levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
| City | Level | % of Limit | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encinitas | 0.0099 mg/L | 66.3% | 62,671 |
| Indio | 0.0099 mg/L | 65.9% | 92,301 |
| Pleasanton | 0.0095 mg/L | 63.7% | 79,871 |
| Santa Ana | 0.0094 mg/L | 62.6% | 310,227 |
| Carlsbad | 0.0092 mg/L | 61.6% | 115,382 |
| Woodland | 0.0089 mg/L | 59.1% | 61,032 |
| Lancaster | 0.0088 mg/L | 58.7% | 173,516 |
| Lake Forest | 0.0082 mg/L | 55.0% | 85,858 |
| Alameda | 0.0078 mg/L | 52.3% | 79,827 |
Complete list of cities where lead has been detected, sorted by level
| City | Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EncinitasGrade C- | 0.0099 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 66.3% | Warning |
| IndioGrade F | 0.0099 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 65.9% | Warning |
| PleasantonGrade C+ | 0.0095 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 63.7% | Warning |
| Santa AnaGrade C+ | 0.0094 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 62.6% | Warning |
| CarlsbadGrade C+ | 0.0092 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 61.6% | Warning |
| WoodlandGrade D | 0.0089 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 59.1% | Warning |
| LancasterGrade C- | 0.0088 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 58.7% | Warning |
| Lake ForestGrade C+ | 0.0082 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 55.0% | Warning |
| AlamedaGrade F | 0.0078 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 52.3% | Warning |
| San BuenaventuraGrade F | 0.0075 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 49.9% | Safe |
| WatsonvilleGrade C+ | 0.0074 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 49.1% | Safe |
| Santa ClaraGrade D | 0.0069 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 46.0% | Safe |
| RedlandsGrade C | 0.0069 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 45.8% | Safe |
| BellflowerGrade B- | 0.0065 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 43.2% | Safe |
| DelanoGrade C+ | 0.0064 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 42.8% | Safe |
| MantecaGrade B- | 0.0062 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 41.7% | Safe |
| Mission ViejoGrade C- | 0.0061 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 40.5% | Safe |
| Fountain ValleyGrade A- | 0.0059 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 39.4% | Safe |
| GlendoraGrade B+ | 0.0058 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 39.0% | Safe |
| IrvineGrade B+ | 0.0058 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 39.0% | Safe |
| VacavilleGrade B- | 0.0058 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 38.8% | Safe |
| SunnyvaleGrade B+ | 0.0057 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 38.3% | Safe |
| Newport BeachGrade B | 0.0056 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 37.6% | Safe |
| RiversideGrade B+ | 0.0056 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 37.5% | Safe |
| Santa MariaGrade B- | 0.0056 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 37.5% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 172 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health effects, especially in children and pregnant women. In children, lead exposure can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, hearing loss, and behavioral problems. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. In adults, lead exposure can cause cardiovascular effects including increased blood pressure and hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems. There is no safe level of lead exposure, and the effects can be irreversible.
Corrosion of household plumbing systems including pipes, fittings, and solder; erosion of natural deposits; homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,lead has been detected in 172 California water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 20% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 66.3% of the limit.
The EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires action if lead exceeds 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) in more than 10% of tap water samples. The EPA MCL for lead is 0.015 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
172 California cities have lead detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Brain damage in children, developmental delays, high blood pressure, kidney damage. The most vulnerable groups include infants and young children and pregnant women.
The most effective methods for removing lead include Reverse Osmosis, NSF 53 Certified Carbon Filter, Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for lead reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead is 0.015 mg/L.The EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires action if lead exceeds 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) in more than 10% of tap water samples.
Recommended filtration methods for lead removal:
Removes 95-99% of lead
Must be certified for lead removal
Very effective but slow