Public water monitoring in Katy shows a safety record well above the TX median - health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

Water Quality in Katy

We track home safety signals for 6 ZIP codes in Katy, Texas. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 4 ZIP codes and 20 water systems.

4 of 4 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 63 total, including 3 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: A (87/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0053 mg/L
• 0 of 4 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
• 16% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 1% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 2009
• Most common estimated pipe material: PEX or Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 17/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 8%

Housing Age Distribution

125,629 total housing units across 6 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Katy:

• 2,978 flood insurance claims on record
• $287,370,189 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
• 2,452 claims with payment data
• 526 claims without reported payment fields
• $117,198 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
• Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
• Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone among 6 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 6 ZIP codes

What Katy 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 Katy 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

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Katy

• 77449 - 24 violations ⚠
• 77450 - 2 violations ⚠
• 77491
• 77492
• 77493 [A] - 14 violations
• 77494 - 23 violations

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Katy has an average score of 87/100 (grade A) across 1 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 63 recorded EPA violations across 4 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 3 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Katy have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Katy is 0.0053 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 4 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 16% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Katy at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 2,978 flood insurance claim records in Katy ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $117,198 among 2,452 claims with payment data. 526 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 5 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 0 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 Katy homes?

16% of Katy housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 1% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is PEX or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 8%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Katy water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Lead and Copper Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 4 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 4 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

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

Housing Age Profile

Newer construction dominates Katy's residential inventory, as reflected in a median build year of 2009. The practical implication is that lead-soldered copper plumbing joints - a pre-1986 standard now federally prohibited - are an exception rather than the rule in this city, though they remain present in the older fraction of the housing stock.

2009

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Katy 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Katy

0.0053

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 Katy 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.

Historical NFIP Claim Context in Katy

2,978

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$117,198

Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data

0%

A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Katy contains 2,978 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $117,198. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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.