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: consider a certified water filter (12 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
While Rio Hondo avoids TX's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Rio Hondo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Rio Hondo Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 38% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.2 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Rio Hondo
Residential water in Rio Hondo, TX is supplied by 3 separate utilities - not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 3 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
- 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 lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 32 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 24 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1008 | Other | 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). 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 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
Development in Rio Hondo unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1998 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed - including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Rio Hondo 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.
Rio Hondo: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Rio Hondo represent a substantial share of typical property values - the equity impact here is significant, and careful financial planning is essential rather than optional for most homeowners.
At 2.0% of home value, remediation costs in Rio Hondo represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,900–$4,800. Home values here are 35% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Rio Hondo
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.
Wherever 38% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in Rio Hondo - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
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 <strong>$3,000</strong> 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. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Fecal Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Rio Hondo's water.
- 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