Brownsville, TX: 20 Violations — 84/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for Brownsville shows a consistently clean picture in TX — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Brownsville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Brownsville, TX
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Brownsville's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Brownsville Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 36% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,560 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.2 — above typical levels.
Brownsville's Water Providers
Federal records list 7 water systems tied to Brownsville, TX. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Brownsville, Texas, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 210,916 people.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Brownsville: B (84/100)
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
Brownsville water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 5 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 5 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78520 | B | 4 | 0 | Brownsville Public Utilities Board |
| 78521 | B | 4 | 0 | Brownsville Public Utilities Board |
| 78522 | A | 4 | 0 | Brownsville Public Utilities Board |
| 78523 | A | 4 | 0 | Brownsville Public Utilities Board |
| 78526 | B | 4 | 0 | Brownsville Public Utilities Board |
All ZIP Codes in Brownsville
- 78520 [B] — 4 violations
- 78521 [B] — 4 violations
- 78522 [A] — 4 violations
- 78523 [A] — 4 violations
- 78526 [B] — 4 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
Updated daily.
Brownsville Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Brownsville's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Brownsville Infrastructure Age
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
Lead solder was a standard plumbing material before 1986, when federal law prohibited its use in new residential construction. In Brownsville, the median build year of 1990 indicates that plumbing age is a material factor in local lead risk — with the pre-1986 share concentrated in specific neighborhoods and building types where older construction remains common.
Most homes in Brownsville 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Brownsville
The cost-to-value ratio in Brownsville 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 Brownsville. The estimated $1,040–$2,280 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 43% below the Texas average.
Brownsville: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Brownsville have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 36% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Brownsville: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Brownsville carries a substantial flood exposure profile — 1008 claims filed over the program's long tracking window and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. For water quality, that exposure level means flooding has likely stressed local treatment and distribution infrastructure on multiple occasions, creating periodic windows of elevated contamination risk.
Brownsville has a significant flood history with 1,008 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $10,973 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,560</strong> remediation cost per household.
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 Brownsville, TX