Water Quality in Port Arthur, TX: 6 Violations - Grade N/A
2 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 6 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Port Arthur. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Port Arthur
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77642 | 6 | 2 | View report → |
| 77640 | 3 | 2 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Port Arthur.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
Water Quality Overview
Port Arthur, Texas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 6 violations, including 2 health-based violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Port Arthur water systems is 0.0024 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 66% of homes built before 1986, Port Arthur has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Port Arthur
Port Arthur is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 55,531 people across 4 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving Port Arthur. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Port Arthur
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Port Arthur Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Port Arthur's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 4 | 2 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Port Arthur:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 12 enforcement actions against water systems serving Port Arthur. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-04-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-29 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-04-29 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-19 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-01 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-18 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-01-22 | State Formal Action |
| 2025-01-22 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-05-07 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-04-09.
Port Arthur vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Port Arthur's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur | 2 | 6 | 2 | 55,531 |
| Galveston | 4 | 21 | 5 | 55,548 |
| Aubrey | 1 | 50 | 5 | 55,437 |
| Cleveland | 2 | 45 | 8 | 55,390 |
Common Questions About Port Arthur Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Port Arthur, Texas:
Is Port Arthur water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Port Arthur's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Port Arthur tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 2 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Port Arthur? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Port Arthur vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Port Arthur compares to the broader Texas average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Port Arthur.
ZIP Codes in Port Arthur
Port Arthur spans 4 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.