CITY REPORT TX 137 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Houston, TX: Lead Above EPA Limits - 86/100

190 ZIP codes · 154 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Houston: A.

No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.

Based on current monitoring, Houston holds an above-average drinking water safety record for TX - violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

190
ZIP Codes
154
Water Systems
97
ZIPs with Violations
A · 86
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIPs Exceeding Lead Limit
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)

Key Facts for Houston Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 1475 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0056 mg/L.

Water Quality in Houston

We track home safety signals for 190 ZIP codes in Houston, Texas. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 97 ZIP codes and 154 water systems.

97 of 97 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,475 total, including 137 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: A (86/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 237 37
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 93 93
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 92 36
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 84 29
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 82 22

Lead Risk

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0056 mg/L
  • 1 of 97 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 56% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 8% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1982
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 46/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 19%
  • 60 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 56% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Houston 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

1,308,725 total housing units across 190 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 44,266 3%
1940–1949 43,693 3%
1950–1959 105,971 8%
1960–1969 144,742 11%
1970–1979 248,464 19%
1980–1989 211,864 16%
1990–1999 151,469 12%
2000–2009 202,405 15%
2010–2019 148,650 11%
2020+ 7,201 1%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Houston:

  • 119,532 flood insurance claims on record
  • $5,977,009,066 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 98,966 claims with payment data
  • 20,566 claims without reported payment fields
  • $60,395 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
  • 55 of 133 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 190 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

  • Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
  • Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
  • Zone 3 (Low): 190 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
77002 91/100 A 1
77003 91/100 A 1
77004 91/100 A 1
77006 91/100 A 1
77007 91/100 A 1
77008 91/100 A 1
77009 91/100 A 1
77010 91/100 A 1
77011 91/100 A 1
77012 91/100 A 1

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
77015 62/100 C 18
77095 67/100 C 15
77005 67/100 C 15
77084 69/100 C 13
77025 72/100 B 6
77089 73/100 B 18
77062 73/100 B 3
77059 73/100 B 3
77047 73/100 B 4
77058 74/100 B 2

What Houston 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 Houston 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

All ZIP Codes in Houston

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Houston, TX?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Houston has an average score of 86/100 (grade A) across 95 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 1475 recorded EPA violations across 97 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 137 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Houston have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Houston is 0.0056 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 1 of 97 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 56% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Houston at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 119,532 flood insurance claim records in Houston ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $60,395 among 98,966 claims with payment data. 20,566 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 133 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 55 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Houston homes?

56% of Houston housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 8% 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 19%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Houston water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Lead and Copper Rule, Fecal Coliform, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Across 97 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 97 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Houston Infrastructure Age

1982
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints - a practice banned that year. Houston's median build year of 1982 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.

1982
Median Year Built
0%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Houston 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.

Houston: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

1 of 190
ZIPs Over EPA Lead Limit
0.0056
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Houston appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (1% 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.

Houston: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

119,532
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$60,395
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
41%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Houston contains 119,532 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $60,395. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 41% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Houston, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Houston, TX?
Houston has an average Home Safety Score of 86/100 (Grade A) under model 4.0.0. The score combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AQI, and is published only when all required domains are observed. 1475 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many water violations does Houston have?
Houston water systems have a total of 1475 EPA violations, including 137 health-based violations. Violations are tracked across 190 ZIP codes.
Does Houston water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Houston is 0.0056 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Houston?
Houston is served by 154 public water systems across 190 ZIP codes, serving approximately 3,206,570 people.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Houston, TX: Lead Above EPA Limits - 86/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/tx/houston/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-tx-houston,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Houston, TX: Lead Above EPA Limits - 86/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/tx/houston/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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