Rule, TX: 4 Violations — 86/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Rule tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with TX and federal standards.
How Rule Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Rule Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 93% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Rule
For most households in Rule, TX, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Rule, Texas, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,022 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rule: A (86/100)
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
Rule water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Rule
- 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): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79547 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Rule |
| 79548 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Rule |
All ZIP Codes in Rule
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 Rule
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 Rule
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Rule's Housing Stock?
With 93% 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
What does a median build year of 1957 mean for water safety in Rule? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Rule were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Rule: Remediation Cost in Perspective
While Rule homeowners face a manageable path to remediation, the equity share sits in the moderate tier — a signal that proactive budgeting matters more here than in lower-ratio markets.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Rule. The estimated $800–$1,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 56% below the Texas average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Rule
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.
93% of Rule housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Rule
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Rule through the NFIP — 7 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Rule has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $12,372 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>$1,200</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 Rule, TX