Jefferson, TX: 9 Health Violations — 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 13 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Jefferson by TX authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Jefferson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Jefferson Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.72 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Jefferson
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Jefferson, TX — out of 13 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Jefferson, Texas (population ~6,842), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 36,700 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 9 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Jefferson: B (73/100)
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
Jefferson water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Jefferson
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75657 | B | 11 | 9 | E M C Water Supply |
All ZIP Codes in Jefferson
- 75657 [B] — 11 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 Jefferson
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 Jefferson
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Jefferson's Housing Stock?
With 55% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Jefferson, where the median build year is 1986, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Jefferson 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.
Jefferson: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Jefferson property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Jefferson. The estimated $1,400–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 48% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Jefferson
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 55% of Jefferson stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Jefferson
Although Jefferson's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 29 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Jefferson has a moderate flood history with 29 FEMA claims averaging $14,312 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,300</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 Jefferson, TX