Karnes County, Texas
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities serving Karnes County's 6 ZIP codes have built a consistent compliance record — the county's above-average grade reflects years of data showing low violation rates and no systemic health concerns.
How Karnes County Compares
How Karnes County Compares
Karnes County scores 5 points below the Texas state average (82/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Karnes County, Texas
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.2 (asthma 9.1%, diabetes 14%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,537, driven primarily by sea_level
Infrastructure: 0.34% avg pipe failure probability, 20% of ZIPs at high risk
50.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Karnes County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 14 violations. Past 5 years: 22 total (22 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $3,537
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,550 housing units in Karnes County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Karnes County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Karnes County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Karnes County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Karnes County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Oso Water Supply Corporation | 6,288 | 25 |
| 2 | City of Karnes City | 4,269 | 17 |
| 3 | City of Kenedy | 6,454 | 17 |
| 4 | CITY OF THREE RIVERS | 4,428 | 9 |
| 5 | CITY OF RUNGE | 1,482 | 8 |
8 total water systems serve Karnes County.
All ZIP Codes in Karnes County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Karnes County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78151 | Runge | 91 | A | 8 (1 health) | $103K |
| 2 | 78119 | Kenedy | 89 | A | 9 (1 health) | $129K |
| 3 | 78118 | Karnes City | 79 | B | 8 (4 health) | $115K |
| 4 | 78117 | Hobson | 73 | B | 0 | $272K |
| 5 | 78111 | Ecleto | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 6 | 78116 | Gillett | 66 | C | 0 | $273K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Karnes County
Retailer arrangements don't shape what appears here — the selection logic is independent, filtered against EPA detections and the federal hazard data on file for this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 50.6% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Karnes County, Texas
Overview
Karnes County in Texas covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
3 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Texas water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.