Rio Hondo, TX: 12 Health Violations - Home Safety 58/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Rio Hondo: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (12 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Available records for Rio Hondo give it a middle-tier grade in TX; water systems can differ, so check the one that serves your home.
How Rio Hondo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Rio Hondo Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations since 2021.
- Homes built before 1986: 38% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,100 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.2.
Water Systems Serving Rio Hondo
Because each listed system has its own federal record, violations at one of the 3 shown below do not apply to the others among the 3 tied to Rio Hondo, TX.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rio Hondo, Texas (population ~5,472), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 29,349 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rio Hondo: C (58/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Rio Hondo water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 24 | 1 |
| Total organic carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Chlorine dioxide | Disinfectant | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78583 | C | 35 | 12 | East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation |
All ZIP Codes in Rio Hondo
- 78583 [C] - 35 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Rio Hondo
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Rio Hondo
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Rio Hondo'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
For a household in Rio Hondo, a certified lab test of tap water answers what the median build year of 1998 cannot.
Most homes in Rio Hondo were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Rio Hondo: Remediation Cost in Perspective
This section sets two area figures side by side for Rio Hondo: the median home value and an estimated remediation cost. Here the estimate equals no more than 1% of that value, which places the city in the low tier; it is an area estimate, and the cost for any one property can be higher or lower.
Estimated remediation costs in Rio Hondo can be compared with local home values. The $600–$2,300 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 35% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Rio Hondo
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Rio Hondo
Historical NFIP data for Rio Hondo contains 113 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $29,593. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $1,100 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Rio Hondo
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, listed in the water-quality records for Rio Hondo: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 38% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rio Hondo, TX