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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 92626 Water Quality Report

Costa Mesa, CA · Orange County County

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

16

Total Violations

28

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

1

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Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 28 unresolved violations. Contact Mesa Water District for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 92626

Tap water in ZIP code 92626 (Costa Mesa, CA) has received a D grade (score: 52/100) — below average for the nation. Mesa Water District has recorded notable violations with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. Residents may want to consider additional filtration and review their annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Water System

Mesa Water District

EPA ID: CA3010004

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

110,000 residents

County

Orange County County, California

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Lead Levels in ZIP 92626

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 92626. This may occur with very small systems or systems that report under a parent utility. Contact Mesa Water District directly to request lead testing results or a copy of their Consumer Confidence Report.

Lead exposure risk in 92626 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 57% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This typically reflects older housing stock built before 1986 (when lead pipes were banned), aging distribution infrastructure, or detected lead levels in water samples. Families should prioritize getting their tap water tested independently and installing a certified lead-reducing filter.

Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

57%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Mesa Water District has recorded 16 health-based violations in the past 5 years — significantly above the national average. This volume of violations indicates serious and recurring compliance issues. Independent water testing and in-home filtration are strongly recommended. 28 violations are currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
28
Health-Based Violations
16
Unresolved Violations
28
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Critical — the highest risk category. Mesa Water District has an extensive history of unresolved violations and enforcement actions. Independent water testing is highly recommended.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant associated with health-based violations in ZIP code 92626: Contaminant 1032. These contaminants exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act at some point in the 5-year monitoring period. The presence of these violations does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe — water systems are often required to increase monitoring and treatment when violations occur. Review the annual Consumer Confidence Report for the most current status.

Contaminant 1032

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Specific Conductance (827 μmho/cm); Manganese (28.4 ppb); Chlorine Residual (3.14 ppm); Aluminum (Secondary) (115 ppb); Odor (Metropolitan) (2 threshold odor number)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 1 enforcement action against Mesa Water District. Enforcement actions are formal compliance orders or penalties issued when a utility fails to address violations within required timeframes.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
100% groundwater from nine wells; supplemented with water from Mesa Water Reliability Facility and imported water from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.1%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 92626 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Mesa Water District to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 92626 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 92626?+
Tap water in 92626 has a below-average water quality grade of D. While it is treated, there have been notable compliance issues. We strongly recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter for drinking and cooking, especially for vulnerable populations.
What is the lead level in 92626 tap water?+
Lead level data from EPA monitoring is not available for 92626. Contact Mesa Water District directly for the most recent lead testing results.
Who provides tap water to 92626?+
Tap water in ZIP code 92626 is provided by Mesa Water District (EPA ID: CA3010004). This system serves approximately 110,000 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 92626?+
ZIP code 92626 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 92626 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 28 unresolved violations on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Mesa Water District for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 92626?+
Your water utility — Mesa Water District — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Mesa Water District Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 92626?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 92626, with detected contaminants including Contaminant 1032, a multi-stage filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended.
Is 92626 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 92626 shows no available lead data — we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter as a precaution for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 92626 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Mesa Water District. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →