El Paso, TX: 414 Violations - 97/100 (2026)
138 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for El Paso: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
Throughout El Paso and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for TX shows above-average performance - violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
El Paso Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 414 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
Water Quality in El Paso
We track water quality and home safety data for 138 ZIP codes in El Paso, Texas, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 815,636 people.
138 of 138 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 414 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (97/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1009 | Other | 276 | 138 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 138 | 138 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L
- 54% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 11% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1981
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 38/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 18%
- 10 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 54% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, El Paso 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
301,150 total housing units across 138 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 12,815 | 4% |
| 1940–1949 | 9,003 | 3% |
| 1950–1959 | 29,606 | 10% |
| 1960–1969 | 28,543 | 9% |
| 1970–1979 | 44,806 | 15% |
| 1980–1989 | 43,375 | 14% |
| 1990–1999 | 39,218 | 13% |
| 2000–2009 | 45,288 | 15% |
| 2010–2019 | 46,255 | 15% |
| 2020+ | 2,241 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for El Paso:
- 764 flood insurance claims on record
- $6,123,154 total paid out
- $8,015 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: AH (High risk)
- 11 of 138 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): 138 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79906 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79908 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79910 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79913 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79914 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79917 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79920 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79923 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79926 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
| 79928 | 98/100 | A | 3 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79932 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79924 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79922 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79915 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79912 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79907 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79904 | 84/100 | B | 3 |
| 79935 | 89/100 | A | 3 |
| 79930 | 89/100 | A | 3 |
| 79927 | 89/100 | A | 3 |
What El Paso 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 El Paso 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 El Paso
- 79901 [A] - 3 violations
- 79902 [A] - 3 violations
- 79903 [A] - 3 violations
- 79904 [B] - 3 violations
- 79905 [A] - 3 violations
- 79906 [A] - 3 violations
- 79907 [B] - 3 violations
- 79908 [A] - 3 violations
- 79910 [A] - 3 violations
- 79911 [A] - 3 violations
- 79912 [B] - 3 violations
- 79913 [A] - 3 violations
- 79914 [A] - 3 violations
- 79915 [B] - 3 violations
- 79917 [A] - 3 violations
- 79920 [A] - 3 violations
- 79922 [B] - 3 violations
- 79923 [A] - 3 violations
- 79924 [B] - 3 violations
- 79925 [A] - 3 violations
- 79926 [A] - 3 violations
- 79927 [A] - 3 violations
- 79928 [A] - 3 violations
- 79929 [A] - 3 violations
- 79930 [A] - 3 violations
- 79931 [A] - 3 violations
- 79932 [B] - 3 violations
- 79934 [A] - 3 violations
- 79935 [A] - 3 violations
- 79936 [A] - 3 violations
- 79937 [A] - 3 violations
- 79938 [A] - 3 violations
- 79940 [A] - 3 violations
- 79941 [A] - 3 violations
- 79942 [A] - 3 violations
- 79943 [A] - 3 violations
- 79944 [A] - 3 violations
- 79945 [A] - 3 violations
- 79946 [A] - 3 violations
- 79947 [A] - 3 violations
- 79948 [A] - 3 violations
- 79949 [A] - 3 violations
- 79950 [A] - 3 violations
- 79951 [A] - 3 violations
- 79952 [A] - 3 violations
- 79953 [A] - 3 violations
- 79954 [A] - 3 violations
- 79955 [A] - 3 violations
- 79958 [A] - 3 violations
- 79960 [A] - 3 violations
- 79961 [A] - 3 violations
- 79968 [A] - 3 violations
- 79976 [A] - 3 violations
- 79978 [A] - 3 violations
- 79980 [A] - 3 violations
- 79990 [A] - 3 violations
- 79995 [A] - 3 violations
- 79996 [A] - 3 violations
- 79997 [A] - 3 violations
- 79998 [A] - 3 violations
- 79999 [A] - 3 violations
- 88510 [A] - 3 violations
- 88511 [A] - 3 violations
- 88512 [A] - 3 violations
- 88513 [A] - 3 violations
- 88514 [A] - 3 violations
- 88515 [A] - 3 violations
- 88516 [A] - 3 violations
- 88517 [A] - 3 violations
- 88518 [A] - 3 violations
- 88519 [A] - 3 violations
- 88520 [A] - 3 violations
- 88521 [A] - 3 violations
- 88523 [A] - 3 violations
- 88524 [A] - 3 violations
- 88525 [A] - 3 violations
- 88526 [A] - 3 violations
- 88527 [A] - 3 violations
- 88528 [A] - 3 violations
- 88529 [A] - 3 violations
- 88530 [A] - 3 violations
- 88531 [A] - 3 violations
- 88532 [A] - 3 violations
- 88533 [A] - 3 violations
- 88534 [A] - 3 violations
- 88535 [A] - 3 violations
- 88536 [A] - 3 violations
- 88538 [A] - 3 violations
- 88539 [A] - 3 violations
- 88540 [A] - 3 violations
- 88541 [A] - 3 violations
- 88542 [A] - 3 violations
- 88543 [A] - 3 violations
- 88544 [A] - 3 violations
- 88545 [A] - 3 violations
- 88546 [A] - 3 violations
- 88547 [A] - 3 violations
- 88548 [A] - 3 violations
- 88549 [A] - 3 violations
- 88550 [A] - 3 violations
- 88553 [A] - 3 violations
- 88554 [A] - 3 violations
- 88555 [A] - 3 violations
- 88556 [A] - 3 violations
- 88557 [A] - 3 violations
- 88558 [A] - 3 violations
- 88559 [A] - 3 violations
- 88560 [A] - 3 violations
- 88561 [A] - 3 violations
- 88562 [A] - 3 violations
- 88563 [A] - 3 violations
- 88565 [A] - 3 violations
- 88566 [A] - 3 violations
- 88567 [A] - 3 violations
- 88568 [A] - 3 violations
- 88569 [A] - 3 violations
- 88570 [A] - 3 violations
- 88571 [A] - 3 violations
- 88572 [A] - 3 violations
- 88573 [A] - 3 violations
- 88574 [A] - 3 violations
- 88575 [A] - 3 violations
- 88576 [A] - 3 violations
- 88577 [A] - 3 violations
- 88578 [A] - 3 violations
- 88579 [A] - 3 violations
- 88580 [A] - 3 violations
- 88581 [A] - 3 violations
- 88582 [A] - 3 violations
- 88583 [A] - 3 violations
- 88584 [A] - 3 violations
- 88585 [A] - 3 violations
- 88586 [A] - 3 violations
- 88587 [A] - 3 violations
- 88588 [A] - 3 violations
- 88589 [A] - 3 violations
- 88590 [A] - 3 violations
- 88595 [A] - 3 violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in El Paso, TX?
El Paso has an average Home Safety Score of 97/100 (grade A) across 138 ZIP codes. There are 414 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does El Paso have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across El Paso is 0.0012 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 54% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is El Paso at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 764 flood insurance claims in El Paso ZIP codes, with an average payout of $8,015. 11 of 138 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in El Paso homes?
54% of El Paso 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 18%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in El Paso water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Contaminant 1009, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 138 ZIP codes, 138 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.
How Old Is El Paso's Housing Stock?
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
For most of El Paso's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 - when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 1981 broadly reflects that newer profile.
Most homes in El Paso 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in El Paso
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 El Paso 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for El Paso
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show El Paso accumulating 764 claims and carrying 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones - evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
El Paso has a moderate flood history with 764 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 El Paso, TX