Maxwell, TX: 16 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Maxwell, TX: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Maxwell Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Maxwell Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 27% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.4 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Maxwell
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Maxwell, TX — out of 5 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Maxwell, Texas (population ~2,953), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 169,861 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Maxwell: B (70/100)
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
Maxwell water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 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 | 34 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78656 | B | 20 | 16 | Maxwell Special Utility District |
All ZIP Codes in Maxwell
- 78656 [B] — 20 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 Maxwell
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 Maxwell Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Maxwell
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
Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 1995, much of Maxwell's housing falls on the safer side of that line — though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.
Most homes in Maxwell 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Maxwell Homeowners
At current valuations, Maxwell falls in the moderate remediation-share tier — a level where treating this as a budgeted line item rather than an ad-hoc expense is the practical approach.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Maxwell. The estimated $1,400–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% below the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Maxwell
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.
Aggregate sampling rests beneath the federal action threshold here, while only 27% of Maxwell housing predates the solder rule change.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Maxwell
Flood history in Maxwell spans 2 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Maxwell has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $13,934 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 Maxwell, TX