Cost, TX Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Cost in TX, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Cost Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Cost Water
- Homes built before 1986: 31% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.43 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cost
As of current federal records, Cost, TX is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cost, Texas (population ~324), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 10,350 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cost — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cost: C (66/100)
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
Cost water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Cost
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78614 | C | GONZALES COUNTY WSC | 10,350 |
All ZIP Codes in Cost
- 78614 [C]
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 Cost
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 Cost
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
Pre-1986 construction carries elevated plumbing-era lead risk because lead solder was widely used before that federal ban. In Cost, the median build year of 2009 indicates a housing stock where that older fraction represents a significant share of the residential inventory.
Most homes in Cost 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cost Homeowners
In Cost, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Cost are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 31% above the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cost
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.
Older stock in Cost represents 31% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Cost
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 31% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cost, TX