Worst Infrastructure: Houston Metro — 2026

Out of 206 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Houston metro area, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	206
Highest risk	46%
Median risk	24%
Average risk	28%

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	77011	Houston	TX	46%	High	84/100
2	77009	Houston	TX	43%	High	79/100
3	77012	Houston	TX	43%	High	84/100
4	77023	Houston	TX	43%	High	79/100
5	77506	Pasadena	TX	43%	High	71/100
6	77520	Baytown	TX	43%	High	74/100
7	77020	Houston	TX	42%	High	84/100
8	77026	Houston	TX	42%	High	74/100
9	77029	Houston	TX	42%	High	79/100
10	77033	Houston	TX	41%	High	79/100
11	77061	Houston	TX	41%	High	79/100
12	77016	Houston	TX	40%	Moderate	74/100
13	77087	Houston	TX	40%	Moderate	74/100
14	77502	Pasadena	TX	40%	Moderate	66/100
15	77017	Houston	TX	39%	Moderate	79/100
16	77022	Houston	TX	39%	Moderate	74/100
17	77028	Houston	TX	39%	Moderate	74/100
18	77093	Houston	TX	39%	Moderate	74/100
19	77503	Pasadena	TX	39%	Moderate	66/100
20	77035	Houston	TX	38%	Moderate	74/100
21	77039	Houston	TX	38%	Moderate	74/100
22	77074	Houston	TX	38%	Moderate	74/100
23	77076	Houston	TX	38%	Moderate	74/100
24	77018	Houston	TX	37%	Moderate	74/100
25	77031	Houston	TX	37%	Moderate	79/100
26	77037	Houston	TX	37%	Moderate	74/100
27	77080	Houston	TX	37%	Moderate	74/100
28	77096	Houston	TX	37%	Moderate	74/100
29	77013	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	74/100
30	77021	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	79/100
31	77034	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	74/100
32	77036	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	79/100
33	77050	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	79/100
34	77072	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	74/100
35	77081	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	79/100
36	77088	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	74/100
37	77092	Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	79/100
38	77587	South Houston	TX	36%	Moderate	75/100
39	77078	Houston	TX	35%	Moderate	79/100
40	77004	Houston	TX	34%	Moderate	79/100
41	77015	Houston	TX	34%	Moderate	74/100
42	77043	Houston	TX	34%	Moderate	79/100
43	77060	Houston	TX	34%	Moderate	74/100
44	77062	Houston	TX	34%	Moderate	74/100
45	77071	Houston	TX	34%	Moderate	79/100
46	77504	Pasadena	TX	34%	Moderate	71/100
47	77045	Houston	TX	33%	Moderate	74/100
48	77055	Houston	TX	33%	Moderate	79/100
49	77057	Houston	TX	33%	Moderate	79/100
50	77063	Houston	TX	33%	Moderate	79/100
51	77091	Houston	TX	33%	Moderate	79/100
52	77099	Houston	TX	33%	Moderate	74/100
53	77042	Houston	TX	32%	Moderate	74/100
54	77051	Houston	TX	32%	Moderate	79/100
55	77053	Houston	TX	32%	Moderate	79/100
56	77058	Houston	TX	32%	Moderate	74/100
57	77079	Houston	TX	32%	Moderate	74/100
58	77086	Houston	TX	32%	Moderate	79/100
59	77024	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	74/100
60	77032	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	74/100
61	77048	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	79/100
62	77066	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	74/100
63	77067	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	79/100
64	77068	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	79/100
65	77089	Houston	TX	31%	Moderate	74/100
66	77003	Houston	TX	30%	Moderate	84/100
67	77006	Houston	TX	30%	Moderate	79/100
68	77008	Houston	TX	30%	Moderate	74/100
69	77040	Houston	TX	30%	Moderate	74/100
70	77098	Houston	TX	29%	Moderate	79/100
71	77521	Baytown	TX	29%	Moderate	74/100
72	77005	Houston	TX	28%	Moderate	79/100
73	77025	Houston	TX	28%	Moderate	74/100
74	77069	Houston	TX	28%	Moderate	79/100
75	77090	Houston	TX	28%	Moderate	74/100
76	77002	Houston	TX	27%	Moderate	79/100
77	77030	Houston	TX	27%	Moderate	79/100
78	77038	Houston	TX	27%	Moderate	74/100
79	77077	Houston	TX	27%	Moderate	74/100
80	77505	Pasadena	TX	27%	Moderate	66/100
81	77522	Baytown	TX	27%	Moderate	84/100
82	77019	Houston	TX	26%	Moderate	79/100
83	77054	Houston	TX	26%	Moderate	84/100
84	77075	Houston	TX	26%	Moderate	74/100
85	77083	Houston	TX	26%	Moderate	79/100
86	77085	Houston	TX	26%	Moderate	84/100
87	77056	Houston	TX	25%	Moderate	79/100
88	77065	Houston	TX	25%	Moderate	79/100
89	77070	Houston	TX	25%	Moderate	74/100
90	77478	Sugar Land	TX	25%	Moderate	78/100
91	77501	Pasadena	TX	25%	Moderate	81/100
92	77508	Pasadena	TX	25%	Moderate	86/100
93	77001	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	89/100
94	77041	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	79/100
95	77046	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	89/100
96	77049	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	74/100
97	77052	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	84/100
98	77059	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	79/100
99	77082	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	74/100
100	77084	Houston	TX	24%	Moderate	74/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.