Skip to main content
WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 95556 Water Quality & Testing Report

Orleans, CA · Humboldt County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 95556 (Orleans, CA)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 95556 (Orleans, CA) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (50/100) due to 4 health violation(s) and 1500.0 ppb lead. While treated by WILLOW CREEK C.S.D., residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

4

Total Violations

8

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

3

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 5 unresolved violations. Contact WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 95556

Tap water in ZIP code 95556 (Orleans, CA) is distributed by WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. (EPA ID: CA1210015), serving approximately 1,298 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 50/100.

Water System

WILLOW CREEK C.S.D.

EPA ID: CA1210015

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

1,298 residents

County

Humboldt County County, California

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 95556

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

Lead Level: 1500.0 ppb — EXCEEDS EPA Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 95556 is 1500.0 ppb, which EXCEEDS the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Immediate action is recommended. Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter or bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Lead exposure risk in 95556 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 53% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
1500.00 ppb (1.5 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

53%
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.
🪨

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard7.5 GPG · 129 mg/L

Water in ZIP 95556 is Hard (129 mg/L / 7.5 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

7.5 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

129 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. · PWSID: CA1210015

Verify on EPA.gov
📋

Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. has recorded 4 health-based violations out of 8 total violations over the past 5 years. 5 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
8
Health-Based Violations
4
Unresolved Violations
5
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 3 contaminants with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 2 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Contaminant 0800.

Stage 2 DBP RuleConsumer Confidence Report RuleContaminant 0800

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 8 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
🌊

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
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3

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

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 95556

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 95556 served by WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by California State Water Resources Control Board.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in CA for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 95556 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 WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. 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

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 95556 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 95556?+
Tap water in 95556 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 95556 (Orleans, CA)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 95556, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in CA. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact California State Water Resources Control Board for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 95556?+
Tap water in 95556 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 129 mg/L (7.5 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 95556?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 95556 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 95556 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 95556 is 1500.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This exceeds the action level — a certified lead-reducing filter is recommended.
Is there an active boil water notice in 95556?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 95556. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 95556?+
Tap water in ZIP code 95556 is provided by WILLOW CREEK C.S.D. (EPA ID: CA1210015), serving approximately 1,298 residents.
What water filter should I use in 95556?+
Based on water metrics for 95556, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 95556 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 WILLOW CREEK C.S.D.. 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 →