Harlingen, TX: 4 Health Violations — 80/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Harlingen records above-average water quality outcomes for TX; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Harlingen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Harlingen Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 60 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,275 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.2 — above typical levels.
Harlingen's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 12 systems in Harlingen, TX. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Harlingen, Texas (population ~95,446), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 358,297 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Harlingen: B (80/100)
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
Harlingen water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 4 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 4 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 10 | 4 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78550 | B | 15 | 1 | Harlingen Water Works System |
| 78551 | A | 15 | 1 | Harlingen Water Works System |
| 78552 | B | 15 | 1 | Harlingen Water Works System |
| 78553 | A | 15 | 1 | Harlingen Water Works System |
All ZIP Codes in Harlingen
- 78550 [B] — 15 violations ⚠
- 78551 [A] — 15 violations ⚠
- 78552 [B] — 15 violations ⚠
- 78553 [A] — 15 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.
Harlingen Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Harlingen's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Harlingen
For most Harlingen homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Harlingen. The estimated $1,500–$3,525 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 32% below the Texas average.
Harlingen: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 Harlingen 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.
Harlingen: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP record for Harlingen is not ambiguous: 2949 claims filed and 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood territory add up to a substantial flood exposure profile. For a water quality assessment, that profile matters because flooding doesn't just damage property — it can temporarily compromise the systems that deliver safe drinking water, from overwhelmed treatment plants to infiltrated private wells to backflow events in distribution infrastructure.
Harlingen has a significant flood history with 2,949 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $28,486 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>$2,275</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Harlingen, TX