Laredo, TX: 192 Health Violations — 66/100 (2026)
8 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Laredo, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for TX.
How Laredo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Laredo, TX
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Laredo's 8 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Laredo Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 272 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 35% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.4 — above typical levels.
Laredo's Water Providers
Multiple utilities divide Laredo, TX's water service — 3 leading providers among 4 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 8 ZIP codes in Laredo, Texas, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 266,762 people.
8 of 8 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 192 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Laredo: C (66/100)
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
Laredo water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 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): 8 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 126 | 8 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 63 | 8 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 45 | 8 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 8 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 18 | 8 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78040 | C | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78041 | C | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78042 | B | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78043 | C | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78044 | B | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78045 | C | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78046 | B | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
| 78049 | C | 34 | 24 | City of Laredo |
All ZIP Codes in Laredo
- 78040 [C] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78041 [C] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78042 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78043 [C] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78044 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78045 [C] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78046 [B] — 34 violations ⚠
- 78049 [C] — 34 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.
Laredo 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 Laredo's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Laredo Infrastructure Age
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
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Laredo's median build year of 1997 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Laredo 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Laredo
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Laredo sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Laredo. The estimated $1,363–$3,938 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% below the Texas average.
Laredo: 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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 35% of Laredo stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Laredo: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
267 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Laredo, and 88% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Laredo has a moderate flood history with 267 FEMA claims averaging $28,835 per payout. 88% 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>$2,200</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.
What You Can Do in Laredo
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Laredo's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 35% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Laredo, TX