Howe, OK: 46 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Howe Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 46 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 42% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.21 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Howe
Structurally, Howe, OK's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 4 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Howe, Oklahoma (population ~2,494), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 17,747 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 30 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Howe water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 52 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 20 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74940 | — | 46 | 30 | Leflore Company Rwd #14 |
All ZIP Codes in Howe
- 74940 - 46 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Howe
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Howe Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Howe
With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
With a median build year of 1999, Howe's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 - the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned - meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Howe were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Howe Homeowners
The cost-to-value ratio in Howe is in the moderate range - neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Howe. The estimated $800–$1,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 18% below the Oklahoma average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Howe
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 42% pre-rule share in Howe keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Howe
Historical NFIP data for Howe contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $1,616. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Howe, OK