Worst Infrastructure: San Antonio Metro — 2026

Out of 92 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the San Antonio 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	92
Highest risk	53%
Median risk	36%
Average risk	36%

Top 92 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	78225	San Antonio	TX	53%	High	94/100
2	78212	San Antonio	TX	52%	High	84/100
3	78201	San Antonio	TX	51%	High	84/100
4	78210	San Antonio	TX	50%	High	89/100
5	78214	San Antonio	TX	49%	High	89/100
6	78203	San Antonio	TX	48%	High	98/100
7	78207	San Antonio	TX	48%	High	89/100
8	78202	San Antonio	TX	47%	High	94/100
9	78204	San Antonio	TX	47%	High	94/100
10	78226	San Antonio	TX	46%	High	94/100
11	78208	San Antonio	TX	45%	High	94/100
12	78228	San Antonio	TX	45%	High	84/100
13	78131	New Braunfels	TX	44%	High	94/100
14	78135	New Braunfels	TX	44%	High	98/100
15	78209	San Antonio	TX	44%	High	79/100
16	78220	San Antonio	TX	44%	High	89/100
17	78237	San Antonio	TX	44%	High	89/100
18	78205	San Antonio	TX	43%	High	89/100
19	78211	San Antonio	TX	43%	High	89/100
20	78213	San Antonio	TX	43%	High	84/100
21	78227	San Antonio	TX	41%	High	84/100
22	78221	San Antonio	TX	40%	Moderate	89/100
23	78234	San Antonio	TX	40%	Moderate	98/100
24	78216	San Antonio	TX	39%	Moderate	84/100
25	78217	San Antonio	TX	39%	Moderate	84/100
26	78219	San Antonio	TX	39%	Moderate	89/100
27	78223	San Antonio	TX	39%	Moderate	89/100
28	78666	San Marcos	TX	39%	Moderate	80/100
29	78218	San Antonio	TX	38%	Moderate	84/100
30	78224	San Antonio	TX	38%	Moderate	94/100
31	78238	San Antonio	TX	38%	Moderate	84/100
32	78242	San Antonio	TX	38%	Moderate	89/100
33	78667	San Marcos	TX	38%	Moderate	85/100
34	78229	San Antonio	TX	37%	Moderate	94/100
35	78239	San Antonio	TX	37%	Moderate	89/100
36	78206	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
37	78230	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	84/100
38	78232	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	84/100
39	78233	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	89/100
40	78241	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	94/100
41	78243	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
42	78246	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
43	78265	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	94/100
44	78268	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
45	78269	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
46	78270	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
47	78278	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
48	78279	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
49	78280	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
50	78283	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
51	78284	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
52	78285	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
53	78286	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
54	78287	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
55	78288	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
56	78289	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
57	78291	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	94/100
58	78292	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
59	78293	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
60	78294	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
61	78295	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
62	78296	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
63	78297	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
64	78298	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
65	78299	San Antonio	TX	36%	Moderate	98/100
66	78130	New Braunfels	TX	33%	Moderate	79/100
67	78222	San Antonio	TX	33%	Moderate	94/100
68	78264	San Antonio	TX	33%	Moderate	94/100
69	78231	San Antonio	TX	32%	Moderate	89/100
70	78240	San Antonio	TX	32%	Moderate	89/100
71	78250	San Antonio	TX	32%	Moderate	89/100
72	78245	San Antonio	TX	31%	Moderate	89/100
73	78263	San Antonio	TX	31%	Moderate	94/100
74	78247	San Antonio	TX	30%	Moderate	89/100
75	78252	San Antonio	TX	29%	Moderate	94/100
76	78132	New Braunfels	TX	27%	Moderate	79/100
77	78244	San Antonio	TX	27%	Moderate	94/100
78	78215	San Antonio	TX	26%	Moderate	89/100
79	78248	San Antonio	TX	26%	Moderate	89/100
80	78249	San Antonio	TX	26%	Moderate	89/100
81	78266	San Antonio	TX	26%	Moderate	89/100
82	78235	San Antonio	TX	25%	Moderate	98/100
83	78251	San Antonio	TX	25%	Moderate	94/100
84	78254	San Antonio	TX	24%	Moderate	89/100
85	78255	San Antonio	TX	24%	Moderate	89/100
86	78259	San Antonio	TX	23%	Moderate	89/100
87	78253	San Antonio	TX	22%	Moderate	89/100
88	78256	San Antonio	TX	22%	Moderate	94/100
89	78257	San Antonio	TX	22%	Moderate	89/100
90	78258	San Antonio	TX	22%	Moderate	89/100
91	78260	San Antonio	TX	22%	Moderate	89/100
92	78261	San Antonio	TX	22%	Moderate	94/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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.