Sour Lake, TX: 1 Health Violation — 68/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Sour Lake, TX tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Sour Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Sour Lake Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.44 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Sour Lake
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Sour Lake, TX — out of 4 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sour Lake, Texas (population ~5,847), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 38,202 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sour Lake: C (68/100)
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
Sour Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Sour Lake
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77659 | C | 3 | 1 | City of Sour Lake |
All ZIP Codes in Sour Lake
- 77659 [C] — 3 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.
Health Outcomes in Sour Lake
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 Sour Lake Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Sour Lake
With 49% 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
For a city with a median build year of 1983, Sour Lake 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 Sour Lake 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 Sour Lake Homeowners
Across the Sour Lake housing market, the estimated remediation share lands in a middle tier — not a minor footnote, but not a prohibitive burden either; the cost-to-value ratio reflects a moderate equity commitment, one that sits above routine maintenance territory and warrants a dedicated line in the household budget.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Sour Lake. The estimated $1,950–$4,600 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 2% above the Texas average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Sour Lake
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 49% of Sour Lake 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 Sour Lake
Across the years captured by NFIP data, Sour Lake has logged 836 flood insurance claims and carries 100% of its ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — a sustained record consistent with high flood exposure. The water quality implications run through several pathways: treatment systems repeatedly stressed by high-volume intake, private wells in FEMA zones facing recurring infiltration risk, and distribution infrastructure that has likely experienced multiple backflow episodes during large events.
Sour Lake has a significant flood history with 836 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $123,071 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>$2,800</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 Sour Lake
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Sour Lake's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 49% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sour Lake, TX