Port Isabel, TX Water Safety: 80/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Port Isabel tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for TX — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Port Isabel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Port Isabel Water
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 40% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.2 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Port Isabel
Port Isabel, TX is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Port Isabel, Texas (population ~10,231), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 71,097 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Port Isabel — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Port Isabel: B (80/100)
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 Isabel water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 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)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78578 | B | Laguna Madre Water District | 46,341 |
All ZIP Codes in Port Isabel
- 78578 [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 Port Isabel
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 Port Isabel
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
The story of Port Isabel's housing stock is one of layered development — neighborhoods built in different decades, each carrying the plumbing standards of their era. The median build year of 1998 reflects that layered character. Before 1986, lead solder was standard in copper plumbing; before 1970, lead pipes were commonly used for service lines. A substantial portion of the pre-1986 homes visible in the distribution above still carry the plumbing materials of those earlier standards — creating a risk environment that the city-wide aggregate water data doesn't fully capture.
Most homes in Port Isabel 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 Port Isabel Homeowners
For most homeowners in Port Isabel, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Port Isabel are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% below the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Port Isabel
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.
When older housing represents 40% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Port Isabel address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Port Isabel
Flood risk in Port Isabel reaches a level where its interaction with water quality becomes a concrete planning concern rather than an abstract possibility. NFIP data records 589 claims, and 100% of the area's ZIP codes are within FEMA-designated flood zones. At this exposure level, the mechanisms connecting major flood events to water quality disruption — treatment overload, well contamination, distribution backflow — have likely been activated repeatedly over the multi-decade NFIP tracking window.
Port Isabel has a significant flood history with 589 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $5,654 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>$1,800</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Port Isabel, TX