Marfa, TX: 18 Health Violations — 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in TX, Marfa records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Marfa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Marfa Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 199 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.77 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Marfa
Across Marfa, TX, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 4 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Marfa, Texas (population ~2,578), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 7,472 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 18 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Marfa: D (50/100)
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
Marfa water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0013 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 148 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 114 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 54 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 32 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 28 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79843 | D | 199 | 18 | City of Presidio |
All ZIP Codes in Marfa
- 79843 [D] — 199 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.
Health Outcomes in Marfa
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
Top Contaminants in Marfa Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Marfa
With 81% 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
The median home in Marfa was built in 1951 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Marfa 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Marfa Homeowners
Because property values in Marfa comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Marfa are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 0% above the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Marfa
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 81% of Marfa homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Marfa
- 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Marfa's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Marfa, TX