Odessa, TX: 144 Health Violations — 53/100 (2026)
9 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Odessa, TX near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Odessa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Odessa, TX
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Odessa score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Odessa Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 207 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0101 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,267 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.01 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Odessa
Federal records list 6 water systems tied to Odessa, 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 9 ZIP codes in Odessa, Texas, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 166,904 people.
9 of 9 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 144 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Odessa: D (53/100)
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
Odessa water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0101 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): 9 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 170 | 9 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 9 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 20 | 9 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 9 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 9 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79760 | C | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79761 | D | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79762 | D | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79763 | D | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79764 | C | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79765 | C | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79766 | C | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79768 | D | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
| 79769 | D | 23 | 16 | City of Odessa |
All ZIP Codes in Odessa
- 79760 [C] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79761 [D] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79762 [D] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79763 [D] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79764 [C] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79765 [C] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79766 [C] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79768 [D] — 23 violations ⚠
- 79769 [D] — 23 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 Odessa
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 Odessa Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Odessa
With 49% 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
A median build year of 1989 in Odessa is characteristic of a mixed-era city where plumbing risk depends heavily on the specific property. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper joints; those from before 1970 face the added possibility of lead service lines. The percentages above capture how much of the residential stock falls into each risk era.
Most homes in Odessa 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 Odessa Homeowners
The cost-to-value ratio in Odessa is in the moderate range — neither dismissible nor alarming, but above the threshold where remediation can be treated as incidental. Most homeowners here are weighing a real equity commitment, and the moderate classification reflects that accurately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Odessa. The estimated $1,400–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 31% below the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Odessa
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Odessa have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 49% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Odessa
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Odessa shows 189 claims and 78% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Odessa has a moderate flood history with 189 FEMA claims averaging $20,864 per payout. 78% 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>$2,267</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 Odessa
- 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 Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Odessa's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 49% 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 Odessa, TX