Borden County Water System
EPA ID: TX0170010 · 275 people served · 1 ZIP code
Where compliant utilities carry no open actions, Borden County Water System shows 20 active EPA violations in the federal database for a service population of approximately 275.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 7 (2024) to 8 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Borden County Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Borden County Water System serves a community with a median household income of $54,250 and an estimated 426 residents across its service area. Approximately 60% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Borden County Water System's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 6% of homes in Borden County, Texas rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Borden County Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Barium at 11 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.
Nickel at 8 mg/L (secondary standard: 2.0 mg/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of 4 mg/L (secondary standard: 2.0 mg/L). Tooth & bone damage at high levels. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Nickel was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Borden County Water System (EPA ID: TX0170010) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 275 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 79738 in Gail.
Average Home Safety Score: C (55/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 11 | Yes |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 8 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Fluoride (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (secondary standard: 2.0 mg/L))
Tooth & bone damage at high levels At-risk groups: children under 8 during tooth development, elderly with compromised bone density, people with kidney disease.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, activated alumina, distillation. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 79738 — Gail
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Borden County Water System (TX0170010) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Borden County Water System water safe to drink?
Borden County Water System has recorded 19 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Borden County Water System serve?
Borden County Water System serves approximately 275 people across 1 ZIP code in Texas.
Where does Borden County Water System get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Borden County Water System (EPA ID: TX0170010) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.