Nome, TX: Lead Above EPA Limits — 35/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Nome, EPA compliance records fall well below TX averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Nome Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Nome Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 47 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0211 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $7,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.39 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Nome
Federal records list 5 water systems tied to Nome, TX. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Nome, Texas (population ~524), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 21,056 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 28 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Nome: F (35/100)
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
Nome water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0211 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 44 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 14 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77629 | F | 47 | 28 | City of Nome |
All ZIP Codes in Nome
- 77629 [F] — 47 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.
CDC Health Data for Nome
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Nome
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Nome's Housing Stock?
With 70% 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
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Nome's median build year of 1960 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Nome 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.
Nome: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because estimated remediation claims a substantial fraction of typical Nome property equity, the household financial perspective here requires serious advance planning — the cost-to-value ratio is in the elevated tier and warrants structured preparation.
At 4.3% of home value, remediation costs in Nome represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $4,900–$11,100. Home values here are 25% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Nome
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.
Although federal monitoring continues at the utility tier, Nome's 70% share of older housing alongside aggregate readings beyond the action mark raises lead to a near-term household step.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Nome
100% of ZIP codes in Nome are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 67 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Nome has a moderate flood history with 67 FEMA claims averaging $65,180 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>$7,300</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.
What You Can Do in Nome
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Fecal Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Nome's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% 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 Nome, TX