Cotton Center, TX: 4 Health Violations — 54/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching Cotton Center, TX tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Cotton Center Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Cotton Center Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.67 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Cotton Center
Cotton Center, TX draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cotton Center, Texas (population ~55), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 250 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cotton Center: D (54/100)
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
Cotton Center water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0090 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 22 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 14 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79021 | D | 35 | 4 | Cotton Center Water Supply Corporation |
All ZIP Codes in Cotton Center
- 79021 [D] — 35 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.
CDC Health Data for Cotton Center
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Cotton Center
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Cotton Center's Housing Stock?
With 77% 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
Reading the housing age data for Cotton Center — median build year 1954 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Cotton Center 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cotton Center
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 77% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Cotton Center.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Cotton Center
- 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. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Cotton Center's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 77% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cotton Center, TX