Amherst, TX: 3 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Amherst Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- 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
For most households in Amherst, TX, tap water comes from one provider - the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Amherst, Texas (population ~1,114), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,943 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. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Water Sources
Amherst water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 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 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79312 | — | 3 | 0 | City of Littlefield |
All ZIP Codes in Amherst
- 79312 - 3 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 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
Top Contaminants in Amherst Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
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