Sour Lake, TX: 10 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Sour Lake Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
- 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 home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Sour Lake, Texas (population ~5,847), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 39,168 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. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Sour Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77659 | — | 10 | 2 | City of Sour Lake |
All ZIP Codes in Sour Lake
- 77659 - 10 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.
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.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Sour Lake
Historical NFIP data for Sour Lake contains 836 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $136,636. 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>$2,800</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Sour Lake, TX