Richards, TX Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Richards tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within TX.
How Richards Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Richards Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 48% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.46.
Water Systems Serving Richards
In Richards, TX, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Richards, Texas (population ~1,179), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 58,358 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Richards — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Richards: 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
Richards water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Richards
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77873 | B | City of Huntsville | 48,522 |
All ZIP Codes in Richards
- 77873 [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.
CDC Health Data for Richards
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
How Old Is Richards's Housing Stock?
With 48% 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
Tap water lead levels are shaped by two factors: what the utility delivers, and what the household plumbing adds to it. Older homes contribute disproportionately to that second variable because lead solder was standard in copper plumbing before 1986, and lead pipes were common before 1970. In Richards, where the median build year is 1982, a substantial share of the housing stock falls into these older categories. The bar chart above breaks out the pre-1970, 1970-to-1986, and post-1986 segments — the key ages for understanding where plumbing-era risk concentrates across the city.
Most homes in Richards 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.
Richards: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Richards picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Richards are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 9% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Richards
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 48% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Richards.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Richards
FEMA data shows 100% of Richards's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 3 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Richards has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $20,035 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>$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 Richards, TX