Health Violations Found TX 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

City of Cotulla

EPA ID: TX1420001 · 5,640 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Tallying the federal enforcement file for City of Cotulla yields 13 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 5,640 residents and works through the required corrective action process.

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

B · 74
Avg Safety Score
5,640
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
24
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0026 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
9
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$58,216
Median Household Income
5,542
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
65%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Cotulla serves a community with a median household income of $58,216 and an estimated 5,542 residents across its service area. Approximately 65% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 100% 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?

Groundwater

City of Cotulla'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
70th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in La Salle County, Texas rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

53 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
17 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 76% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Cotulla compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Coliform at 4 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Texas

B 12 violations
0 violations
0 violations
City of Rusk
5,602 people
A 6 violations
City of Mcgregor
5,600 people
B 22 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,500

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:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,500
10 years
$15,000
20 years
$30,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,500 (one-time) vs. $15,000 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 COTULLA (EPA ID: TX1420001) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 5,640 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (74/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

2 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 13 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
February 1, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Lead Monitoring Unresolved
December 21, 2023 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
October 2, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 29, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 6 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 4 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 4 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Contaminant 2959 Other Violation 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
78014 0.0026 mg/L No N/A

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 Filter

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

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Cotulla (TX1420001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Cotulla water safe to drink?

City of Cotulla has recorded 2 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 City of Cotulla serve?

City of Cotulla serves approximately 5,640 people across 2 ZIP codes in Texas.

Where does City of Cotulla 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.

Samples collected
203

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Cotulla safe to drink?
City of Cotulla earns a B safety grade with 24 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in City of Cotulla's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Total Coliform, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Cotulla serve?
City of Cotulla serves approximately 5,640 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Cotulla's water source?
City of Cotulla draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Cotulla's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0026 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Cotulla's service area?
The City of Cotulla service area has a median household income of $58,216. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Cotulla get its water?
City of Cotulla'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Cotulla (EPA ID: TX1420001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Texas City of Cotulla

Get safety alerts for City of Cotulla, Texas

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.