Within Corpus Christi, safety indicators for tap water remain above the TX median - documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

Water Quality in Corpus Christi

We track home safety signals for 37 ZIP codes in Corpus Christi, Texas. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 18 ZIP codes and 8 water systems.

18 of 18 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 100 total, including 59 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: A (89/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 mg/L
• 0 of 18 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
• 63% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 11% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1973
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 43/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
• 10 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 63% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Corpus Christi residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

134,155 total housing units across 37 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Corpus Christi:

• 4,262 flood insurance claims on record
• $37,407,242 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
• 2,686 claims with payment data
• 1,576 claims without reported payment fields
• $13,927 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
• Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: C (other)
• 10 of 27 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
• Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 37 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 37 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi

• 78401 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78402 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78403
• 78404 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78405 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78406 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78407 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78408 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78409 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78410 [B] - 27 violations ⚠
• 78411 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78412 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78413 [A] - 11 violations ⚠
• 78414 [A] - 11 violations ⚠
• 78415 [A] - 11 violations ⚠
• 78416 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78417 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
• 78418 [B] - 15 violations ⚠
• 78419 [A] - 1 violation
• 78426
• 78427
• 78460
• 78463
• 78465
• 78466
• 78467
• 78468
• 78469
• 78470
• 78471
• 78472
• 78473
• 78474
• 78475
• 78476
• 78477
• 78480

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Corpus Christi, TX?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Corpus Christi has an average score of 89/100 (grade A) across 18 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 100 recorded EPA violations across 18 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 59 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Corpus Christi have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Corpus Christi is 0.0018 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 18 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 63% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Corpus Christi at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 4,262 flood insurance claim records in Corpus Christi ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $13,927 among 2,686 claims with payment data. 1,576 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 27 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 10 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Corpus Christi homes?

63% of Corpus Christi housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 11% 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 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Corpus Christi water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Fecal Coliform, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lead and Copper Rule. Across 18 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 18 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

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing Age Profile

Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 1973, much of Corpus Christi's housing falls on the safer side of that line - though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.

1973

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Corpus Christi 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.

Corpus Christi: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.0018

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Corpus Christi 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.

Corpus Christi: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

4,262

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$13,927

Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data

37%

A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Corpus Christi contains 4,262 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $13,927. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 37% 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.

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.