City of Karnes City
EPA ID: TX1280001 · 4,269 people served · 3 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for City of Karnes City (TX1280001): 1 unresolved EPA violation on record. Within the EPA compliance database, City of Karnes City shows 1 violation still pending resolution - a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 4,269 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Karnes City Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The City of Karnes City serves a community with a median household income of $63,041 and an estimated 11,876 residents across its service area. Approximately 53% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 75% 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?
City of Karnes City'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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Karnes City compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Texas
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
City of Karnes City (EPA ID: TX1280001) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 4,269 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 7 resolved, 1 archived, 0 addressed, and 1 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Health-based | Archived |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| November 19, 2022 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Unaddressed (current) |
| August 25, 2021 | Total Coliform | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0022 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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
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 Karnes City (TX1280001) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Karnes City water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows 1 current noncompliance record and zero current records classified as health-based. That classification is not a property-specific water test or safety guarantee.
How many people does City of Karnes City serve?
City of Karnes City serves approximately 4,269 people across 3 ZIP codes in Texas.
Where does City of Karnes City get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). City of Karnes City (TX): 2 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/tx1280001/
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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
City of Karnes City (EPA ID: TX1280001) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.