Porter, TX: 2 Health Violations — 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Porter 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 Porter Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Porter Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 17% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.46.
Water Systems Serving Porter
Federal drinking water records identify 10 systems in Porter, TX. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Porter, Texas (population ~43,025), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 3,101,539 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Porter: B (73/100)
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
Porter water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77365 | B | 10 | 2 | Porter Special Utility District |
All ZIP Codes in Porter
- 77365 [B] — 10 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.
CDC Health Data for Porter
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Porter
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Porter's Housing Stock?
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
A median build year of 2005 in Porter points to a housing stock where post-1986 construction is the norm. That matters because lead solder in plumbing — banned federally in 1986 — is a primary pathway by which older homes can elevate tap water lead above what enters the distribution system.
Most homes in Porter 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.
Porter: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Porter runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Porter are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,350–$3,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% above the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Porter
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.
Once federal rules removed lead-bearing solder from new plumbing, building practice changed quickly. Porter now carries just 17% of older inventory from that earlier era. Citywide readings remain compliant, though no system-level number can replace a one-home draw.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Porter
NFIP data for Porter documents 1410 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 100% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Porter has a significant flood history with 1,410 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $47,075 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>$2,100</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 Porter, TX