Port Bolivar, TX Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to TX averages, Port Bolivar scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Port Bolivar Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Port Bolivar Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 25% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.31 — above typical levels.
Port Bolivar's Water Providers
In Port Bolivar, TX, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Port Bolivar, Texas (population ~2,362), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 52,326 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Port Bolivar — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Port Bolivar: D (50/100)
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
Port Bolivar water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Port Bolivar
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77650 | D | CITY OF GALVESTON | 52,326 |
All ZIP Codes in Port Bolivar
- 77650 [D]
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.
Port Bolivar Community Health Snapshot
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
Port Bolivar Infrastructure Age
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
For most of Port Bolivar's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 — when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 2006 broadly reflects that newer profile.
Most homes in Port Bolivar 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Port Bolivar
Remediation costs in Port Bolivar are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Port Bolivar are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,800–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 59% above the Texas average.
Port Bolivar: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 Port Bolivar runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 25% 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.
Port Bolivar: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The NFIP record for Port Bolivar is not ambiguous: 3494 claims filed and 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood territory add up to a substantial flood exposure profile. For a water quality assessment, that profile matters because flooding doesn't just damage property — it can temporarily compromise the systems that deliver safe drinking water, from overwhelmed treatment plants to infiltrated private wells to backflow events in distribution infrastructure.
Port Bolivar has a significant flood history with 3,494 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $83,789 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,500</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 Port Bolivar
- 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.
- 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 Port Bolivar, TX