Austin, TX: 80 Health Violations - 92/100 (2026)
80 ZIP codes · 23 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Austin: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
Public water monitoring in Austin shows a safety record well above the TX median - health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
What You Should Know About Austin Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 240 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
Water Quality in Austin
We track water quality and home safety data for 80 ZIP codes in Austin, Texas, covering 23 community water systems serving approximately 1,157,348 people.
80 of 80 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 240 total, including 80 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (92/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 80 | 80 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 80 | 80 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 80 | 80 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 mg/L
- 37% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 5% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1993
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 35/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 13%
- 13 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
Housing Age Distribution
525,019 total housing units across 80 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 11,588 | 2% |
| 1940–1949 | 9,068 | 2% |
| 1950–1959 | 19,941 | 4% |
| 1960–1969 | 35,379 | 7% |
| 1970–1979 | 71,184 | 14% |
| 1980–1989 | 93,964 | 18% |
| 1990–1999 | 79,306 | 15% |
| 2000–2009 | 95,277 | 18% |
| 2010–2019 | 104,426 | 20% |
| 2020+ | 4,886 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Austin:
- 3,932 flood insurance claims on record
- $98,374,036 total paid out
- $25,019 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 24 of 80 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 80 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73344 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78708 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78709 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78710 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78712 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78713 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78715 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78716 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78718 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 78720 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78747 | 79/100 | B | 3 |
| 78745 | 79/100 | B | 3 |
| 78744 | 79/100 | B | 3 |
| 78734 | 79/100 | B | 3 |
| 78759 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 78758 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 78757 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 78753 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 78751 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 78750 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
What Austin Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Austin has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Austin
- 73301 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 73344 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78701 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78702 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78703 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78704 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78705 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78708 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78709 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78710 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78711 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78712 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78713 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78714 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78715 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78716 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78717 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78718 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78719 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78720 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78721 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78722 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78723 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78724 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78725 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78726 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78727 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78728 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78729 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78730 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78731 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78732 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78733 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78734 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78735 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78736 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78737 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78738 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78739 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78741 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78742 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78744 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78745 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78746 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78747 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78748 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78749 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78750 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78751 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78752 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78753 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78754 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78755 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78756 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78757 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78758 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78759 [B] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78760 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78761 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78762 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78763 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78764 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78765 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78766 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78767 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78768 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78769 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78772 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78773 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78774 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78778 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78779 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78780 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78781 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78783 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78785 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78788 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78789 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78798 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
- 78799 [A] - 3 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Austin, TX?
Austin has an average Home Safety Score of 92/100 (grade A) across 80 ZIP codes. There are 240 recorded EPA violations, 80 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Austin have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Austin is 0.0040 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 37% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Austin at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 3,932 flood insurance claims in Austin ZIP codes, with an average payout of $25,019. 24 of 80 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Austin homes?
37% of Austin housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 5% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 13%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Austin water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 1 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Fecal Coliform. Across 80 ZIP codes, 80 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Austin
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Austin's housing stock skews relatively recent, with a median build year of 1993. Homes constructed after 1986 avoid the lead-soldered copper joints that were standard before the federal ban - reducing aggregate risk from plumbing as a contamination pathway.
Most homes in Austin 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.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Austin
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.
Lead risk in Austin appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Austin
Flood activity in Austin is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 3932-claim record and 0% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Austin has a moderate flood history with 3,932 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Austin, TX