Panhandle, TX Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Panhandle, TX scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Panhandle Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Panhandle Water
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.89 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Panhandle
Federal records list 1 water system serving Panhandle, TX. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Panhandle, Texas, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,124 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Panhandle — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Panhandle: B (83/100)
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
Panhandle 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79068 | B | Panhandle Municipal Water System | 2,284 |
All ZIP Codes in Panhandle
- 79068 [B]
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 Panhandle
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Panhandle
With 82% 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 character of Panhandle's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1967 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Panhandle 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 Panhandle Homeowners
Across Panhandle, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Panhandle are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 31% below the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Panhandle
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 82% of Panhandle stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Panhandle, TX