Health Violations Found TX 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

City of Balmorhea

EPA ID: TX1950002 · 406 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Not yet resolved: 4 EPA violations at City of Balmorhea, affecting about 406 residents.

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

D · 53
Avg Safety Score
406
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
13
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0157 mg/L
Max Lead Level — Exceeds Limit
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

City of Balmorhea'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
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Reeves 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

62 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
11 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 85% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Balmorhea compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Texas

City of Broaddus
406 people
0 violations
City of Abbott
406 people
0 violations
Texas 281 Rv Park
405 people
0 violations
City of Avery
408 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Lead Pipe Replacement Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Lead Pipe Replacement $1,660
Radon Mitigation $400
Flood Insurance $400
Water Filtration $200
Total Estimated Cost $2,660

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Lead Exposure — Child Lifetime Cost $10,000

Per affected child (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,780
10 years
$15,560
20 years
$31,120

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,660 (one-time) vs. $15,560 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 Balmorhea (EPA ID: TX1950002) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 406 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)

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

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 4 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
September 29, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 11, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 3, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 29, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
June 14, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
March 31, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
December 30, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP 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 9 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 4 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
79718 0.0157 mg/L Yes N/A
Lead exceeds EPA action level in at least one sampling location. Consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 filter rated for lead removal.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Balmorhea (TX1950002) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Balmorhea water safe to drink?

City of Balmorhea has recorded 3 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 Balmorhea serve?

City of Balmorhea serves approximately 406 people across 3 ZIP codes in Texas.

Where does City of Balmorhea 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
225
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 406
Reported to Texas

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Balmorhea safe to drink?
City of Balmorhea has a D safety grade based on 13 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Balmorhea's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule, Lead and Copper Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 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 Balmorhea serve?
City of Balmorhea serves approximately 406 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is City of Balmorhea's water source?
City of Balmorhea draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Balmorhea's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0157 mg/L. This exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. A lead-certified filter is recommended, especially for homes with young children.
Where does City of Balmorhea get its water?
City of Balmorhea'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 Balmorhea (EPA ID: TX1950002) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Texas City of Balmorhea

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