Santa Fe, TX: 2 Health Violations — 74/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in TX, Santa Fe keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Santa Fe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Santa Fe Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 40 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 38% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.31 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Santa Fe
Residential water in Santa Fe, 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 7 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Santa Fe, Texas (population ~19,603), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 85,277 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Santa Fe: B (74/100)
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
Santa Fe water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 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): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 2 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77510 | B | 20 | 1 | Galveston County Wcid 8 |
| 77517 | B | 20 | 1 | Galveston County Wcid 8 |
All ZIP Codes in Santa Fe
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 Santa Fe
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 Santa Fe Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Santa Fe
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 city with a median build year of 1998, Santa Fe carries a housing profile that straddles the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Neither predominantly new nor predominantly old, the stock presents a moderate aggregate risk environment — with individual risk varying sharply depending on when and where a specific home was built.
Most homes in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Homeowners
How much of a Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,350–$3,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 23% above the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Santa Fe
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 38% of Santa Fe stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Santa Fe
Santa Fe's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 1996 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.
Santa Fe has a significant flood history with 1,996 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $41,499 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>$2,100</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 Santa Fe, TX