Port Lavaca, TX: 20 Health Violations — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Port Lavaca, TX tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Port Lavaca Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Port Lavaca Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 23 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.13 — above typical levels.
Port Lavaca's Water Providers
Water delivery in Port Lavaca, TX is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 6 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Port Lavaca, Texas, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 16,179 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 20 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Port Lavaca: C (55/100)
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 Lavaca water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 40 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77979 | C | 23 | 20 | City of Port Lavaca |
All ZIP Codes in Port Lavaca
- 77979 [C] — 23 violations ⚠
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 Lavaca 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
What's in Port Lavaca's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Port Lavaca Infrastructure Age
With 69% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1977, as in Port Lavaca, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Port Lavaca 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Port Lavaca
Middle of the range — Port Lavaca homeowners face a remediation share that calls for real financial attention without reaching crisis territory.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Port Lavaca. The estimated $1,500–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 40% below the Texas average.
Port Lavaca: 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.
Older stock in Port Lavaca represents 69% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Port Lavaca: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Port Lavaca occupies the middle ground: 475 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Port Lavaca has a moderate flood history with 475 FEMA claims averaging $12,216 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>$2,400</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 Lavaca
- 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. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Port Lavaca's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Port Lavaca, TX