Sierra Blanca, TX: 15 Violations — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
For most households in Sierra Blanca, TX tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Sierra Blanca Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Sierra Blanca Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0029 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.15 — above typical levels.
Sierra Blanca's Water Providers
Across Sierra Blanca, TX, residential water comes from 2 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 2 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sierra Blanca, Texas (population ~1,386), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,447 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sierra Blanca: C (69/100)
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
Sierra Blanca water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0029 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79851 | C | 15 | 0 | Hudspeth County Wcid 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Sierra Blanca
- 79851 [C] — 15 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
Updated daily.
Sierra Blanca Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Sierra Blanca's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Sierra Blanca Infrastructure Age
With 63% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Sierra Blanca — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1989 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Sierra Blanca 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sierra Blanca
Given current Sierra Blanca property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 4.1% of home value, remediation costs in Sierra Blanca represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,800–$4,800. Home values here are 69% below the Texas average.
Sierra Blanca: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Sierra Blanca have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 63% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sierra Blanca: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
100% of ZIP codes in Sierra Blanca are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 1 claim reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Sierra Blanca has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $245,314 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>$2,900</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.
What You Can Do in Sierra Blanca
- 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 Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Sierra Blanca's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sierra Blanca, TX