Groves, TX: Lead Above EPA Limits — 44/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Groves record elevated violation rates against TX benchmarks — residents in affected areas may want to check their local system's current compliance status.
How Groves Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Groves Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0215 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 79% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,840 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.39 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Groves
Water service in Groves, TX is split across 3 utilities out of 3 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Groves, Texas (population ~17,021), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 87,485 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Groves: D (44/100)
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
Groves water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0215 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77619 | D | 5 | 3 | City of Groves |
All ZIP Codes in Groves
- 77619 [D] — 5 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 Groves
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 Groves
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Groves's Housing Stock?
With 79% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1963 places Groves's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Groves 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.
Groves: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Elevated equity share — Groves sits in the high tier when estimated remediation is measured against property values.
At 5.1% of home value, remediation costs in Groves represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $5,260–$11,820. Home values here are 33% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Groves
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.
When older interior plumbing dominates the local inventory at 79% — as in Groves — and citywide samples cross the federal benchmark, an in-home test moves from optional into a near-default step, particularly where small kids or pregnant residents share an address.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Groves
Groves's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 1658 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Groves has a significant flood history with 1,658 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $51,358 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>$7,840</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.
What You Can Do in Groves
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 2 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Groves's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 79% 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 Groves, TX