Worst Infrastructure: Texas — 2026 Rankings

Out of 2,617 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Texas, 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	2,617
Highest risk	67%
Median risk	35%
Average risk	36%
State	Texas

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	76955	Vancourt	TX	67%	Very High	66/100
2	79002	Alanreed	TX	67%	Very High	53/100
3	76873	Rockwood	TX	66%	Very High	66/100
4	79025	Dawn	TX	66%	Very High	53/100
5	77334	Dodge	TX	65%	Very High	93/100
6	76445	Desdemona	TX	64%	Very High	66/100
7	79259	Tell	TX	63%	Very High	66/100
8	76474	Sidney	TX	62%	Very High	66/100
9	76875	Rowena	TX	62%	Very High	55/100
10	79073	Plainview	TX	62%	Very High	77/100
11	79376	Tokio	TX	62%	Very High	66/100
12	76483	Throckmorton	TX	61%	Very High	79/100
13	76825	Brady	TX	61%	Very High	66/100
14	78074	Waring	TX	61%	Very High	73/100
15	78360	Guerra	TX	61%	Very High	66/100
16	79553	Stamford	TX	61%	Very High	56/100
17	75083	Richardson	TX	60%	High	66/100
18	75085	Richardson	TX	60%	High	66/100
19	75694	Woodlawn	TX	60%	High	55/100
20	76301	Wichita Falls	TX	60%	High	67/100
21	76307	Wichita Falls	TX	60%	High	77/100
22	76385	Vernon	TX	60%	High	58/100
23	76471	Rising Star	TX	60%	High	86/100
24	76596	Gatesville	TX	60%	High	66/100
25	76597	Gatesville	TX	60%	High	66/100
26	76598	Gatesville	TX	60%	High	66/100
27	76599	Gatesville	TX	60%	High	66/100
28	76855	Lowake	TX	60%	High	66/100
29	76858	Melvin	TX	60%	High	87/100
30	76940	Mereta	TX	60%	High	66/100
31	78021	Fowlerton	TX	60%	High	91/100
32	78042	Laredo	TX	60%	High	70/100
33	78049	Laredo	TX	60%	High	66/100
34	78333	Alice	TX	60%	High	70/100
35	78841	Del Rio	TX	60%	High	89/100
36	78847	Del Rio	TX	60%	High	93/100
37	79239	Lakeview	TX	60%	High	66/100
38	79261	Turkey	TX	60%	High	55/100
39	79410	Lubbock	TX	60%	High	48/100
40	79770	Orla	TX	60%	High	66/100
41	76384	Vernon	TX	59%	High	64/100
42	76884	Valera	TX	59%	High	66/100
43	75834	Centralia	TX	58%	High	66/100
44	75902	Lufkin	TX	58%	High	76/100
45	75915	Lufkin	TX	58%	High	75/100
46	76309	Wichita Falls	TX	58%	High	67/100
47	76531	Hamilton	TX	58%	High	77/100
48	76887	Voca	TX	58%	High	66/100
49	77359	Oakhurst	TX	58%	High	66/100
50	78347	Chapman Ranch	TX	58%	High	73/100
51	79091	Umbarger	TX	58%	High	62/100
52	79247	Odell	TX	58%	High	66/100
53	79255	Quitaque	TX	58%	High	55/100
54	79338	Levelland	TX	58%	High	50/100
55	79402	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
56	79405	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
57	79406	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
58	79408	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	58/100
59	79409	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
60	79411	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	53/100
61	79430	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
62	79452	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
63	79453	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
64	79457	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
65	79464	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
66	79490	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	58/100
67	79491	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
68	79493	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
69	79499	Lubbock	TX	58%	High	50/100
70	79721	Big Spring	TX	58%	High	66/100
71	79760	Odessa	TX	58%	High	57/100
72	79768	Odessa	TX	58%	High	49/100
73	79769	Odessa	TX	58%	High	49/100
74	79846	Redford	TX	58%	High	39/100
75	76437	Cisco	TX	57%	High	90/100
76	76444	De Leon	TX	57%	High	56/100
77	76454	Gorman	TX	57%	High	62/100
78	76470	Ranger	TX	57%	High	63/100
79	76821	Ballinger	TX	57%	High	72/100
80	76837	Eden	TX	57%	High	96/100
81	76874	Roosevelt	TX	57%	High	66/100
82	76957	Wall	TX	57%	High	66/100
83	78851	Dryden	TX	57%	High	53/100
84	79225	Chillicothe	TX	57%	High	55/100
85	79227	Crowell	TX	57%	High	66/100
86	79257	Silverton	TX	57%	High	66/100
87	79378	Wellman	TX	57%	High	58/100
88	79505	Benjamin	TX	57%	High	55/100
89	79546	Rotan	TX	57%	High	70/100
90	79560	Sylvester	TX	57%	High	66/100
91	79761	Odessa	TX	57%	High	52/100
92	76661	Marlin	TX	56%	High	70/100
93	76836	Doole	TX	56%	High	66/100
94	76852	Lohn	TX	56%	High	67/100
95	79058	Masterson	TX	56%	High	53/100
96	79087	Texline	TX	56%	High	17/100
97	79233	Estelline	TX	56%	High	66/100
98	79373	Tahoka	TX	56%	High	70/100
99	79383	New Home	TX	56%	High	44/100
100	79502	Aspermont	TX	56%	High	70/100

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.