Merkel, TX: 51 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Merkel Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 51 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.08 - above typical levels.
Merkel's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 5 systems in Merkel, TX. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations - so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Merkel, Texas (population ~6,080), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 19,314 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 16 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Merkel water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 | 32 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79536 | — | 51 | 16 | City of Merkel |
All ZIP Codes in Merkel
- 79536 - 51 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Merkel 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 Merkel's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Merkel Infrastructure Age
With 60% 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
What does a median build year of 1988 mean for water safety in Merkel? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used - making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Merkel 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Merkel
In Merkel, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity - the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Merkel are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% below the Texas average.
Merkel: 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.
If 60% of the Merkel inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder - and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L - the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Merkel: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Merkel contains 6 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $3,912. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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. The <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merkel, TX