Amherst, TX Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current TX EPA data, Amherst's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.
How Amherst Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Amherst Water
- Average lead level: 0.0037 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.31 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Amherst
Residential addresses in Amherst, TX are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Amherst, Texas (population ~1,114), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 7,093 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Amherst — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Amherst: B (83/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Amherst water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0037 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79312 | B | City of Littlefield | 6,372 |
All ZIP Codes in Amherst
- 79312 [B]
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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Amherst
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Amherst
With 83% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Amherst is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1953 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Amherst were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Amherst Homeowners
Within the Amherst market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Amherst are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 78% below the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Amherst
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 83% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Amherst.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Amherst, TX