Richmond, TX: 12 Violations — 80/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water monitoring in Richmond shows a safety record well above the TX median — health-based violations are isolated exceptions rather than recurring patterns, the city's systems have stayed compliant across recent reporting cycles, and no cluster of recurring exceedances appears in any single service area.
How Richmond Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Richmond Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 13% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,867 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.52.
Who Supplies Your Water in Richmond
In Richmond, TX, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 9 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 3 ZIP codes in Richmond, Texas, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 212,334 people.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Richmond: 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
Richmond water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 3 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 3 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77406 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Richmond |
| 77407 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Richmond |
| 77469 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Richmond |
All ZIP Codes in Richmond
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 Richmond
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
Top Contaminants in Richmond Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Richmond
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 2007 in Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond Homeowners
How much of a Richmond home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Richmond are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 55% above the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Richmond
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 Richmond runs in a quiet direction. Aggregate sampling rests under the federal action benchmark, and 13% 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Richmond
Across the multi-decade NFIP program, Richmond has logged 1582 filed flood claims — a tally that corresponds with 100% of local ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. For water quality, the implications extend beyond property damage: when flooding reaches the magnitude this area's record implies, water supply systems face compounding stress. Treatment plants handling contaminated floodwater intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads. Private wells in low-lying FEMA zones are vulnerable to surface infiltration during each major event. Distribution networks can experience pressure-inversion backflow, drawing untreated water back into the supply. These are not remote possibilities at this exposure level.
Richmond has a significant flood history with 1,582 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $55,412 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>$2,867</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 Richmond, TX