Water System Report TX

City of Rio Hondo

EPA ID: TX0310006 · 2,640 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Five clean years on EPA record — City of Rio Hondo, 2,640 residents served.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

2,640
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$121K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 9 (2021) to 5 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Rio Hondo Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$51,524
Median Household Income
108,744
Service Area Population
94%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
46%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Rio Hondo serves a community with a median household income of $51,524 and an estimated 108,744 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 94% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Rio Hondo's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Cameron 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

32 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
38 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 46% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 24 detections recorded. 6 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.07 ppt, PFOS: 0.07 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Texas

0 violations
0 violations
City of Ranger
2,629 people
C 27 violations
City of Stanton
2,657 people
C 26 violations
City of Mount Vernon
2,662 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,800
PFAS Treatment $600
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,700

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Rio Hondo (EPA ID: TX0310006) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 2,640 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by TX or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Rio Hondo (TX0310006) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Rio Hondo water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, City of Rio Hondo has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does City of Rio Hondo serve?

City of Rio Hondo serves approximately 2,640 people across 3 ZIP codes in Texas.

Where does City of Rio Hondo get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
City of Rio Hondo meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does City of Rio Hondo serve?
City of Rio Hondo serves approximately 2,640 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is City of Rio Hondo's water source?
City of Rio Hondo draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of City of Rio Hondo's service area?
The City of Rio Hondo service area has a median household income of $51,524. EPA EJScreen data classifies 94% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Rio Hondo get its water?
City of Rio Hondo's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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