Karnes City, TX: 4 Health Violations — 79/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Karnes City tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for TX — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Karnes City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Karnes City Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0035 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.17 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Karnes City
Water delivery in Karnes City, TX is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 4 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Karnes City, Texas (population ~4,097), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 17,485 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Karnes City: B (79/100)
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
Karnes City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0035 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78118 | B | 8 | 4 | El Oso Water Supply Corporation |
All ZIP Codes in Karnes City
- 78118 [B] — 8 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 Karnes City
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 Karnes City
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Karnes City's Housing Stock?
With 63% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1973, as in Karnes City, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Karnes City 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.
Karnes City: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Karnes City homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Karnes City are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Karnes City
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.
Older stock in Karnes City represents 63% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Karnes City, TX