Penitas, TX Water Safety: 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Penitas, TX reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Penitas Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Penitas Water
- Homes built before 1986: 11% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.24 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Penitas
Residential addresses in Penitas, TX are served by 3 primary water providers out of 4 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Penitas, Texas (population ~13,902), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 132,152 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Penitas — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Penitas: C (65/100)
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
Penitas water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Penitas
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78576 | C | CITY OF LA JOYA | 3,033 |
All ZIP Codes in Penitas
- 78576 [C]
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 Penitas
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 Penitas
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
Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — a practice banned that year. Penitas's median build year of 2006 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.
Most homes in Penitas 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 Penitas Homeowners
Elevated equity share — Penitas sits in the high tier when estimated remediation is measured against property values.
At 2.6% of home value, remediation costs in Penitas represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,100–$4,800. Home values here are 49% below the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Penitas
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.
Generally, the structural picture for Penitas runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 11% of housing comes from the pre-rule era — a contained local footprint. That dual signal keeps lead in the background of local concerns, while a one-faucet measurement still answers a different question than any system average can: what is actually flowing from one specific tap on a given morning.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Penitas
FEMA data shows 100% of Penitas's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 11 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Penitas has a moderate flood history with 11 FEMA claims averaging $67,787 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>$3,000</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 Penitas
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Penitas, TX