Texas · population 2,390,125
Lead pipes in Houston, TX
427,111 lines still unidentified
Most of Houston (population 2,390,125) gets its water from City of Houston. It reported no confirmed lead service lines, but 427,111 of 508,198 lines are still listed as unknown material, so lead hasn't been ruled out.
0% of City of Houston's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Texas average (1.2%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 84%
- Non-lead 16%
Latest lead test for City of Houston (Jan 2024–Jun 2024): 5 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for City of Houston.
Water systems serving Houston
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of HoustonMain system | 0 | 0 | 427,111 | 0% |
| Harris County MUD 537Serves nearby areas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Houston
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on City of Houston's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- West University Place6 lead + galv. lines
- Southside Place64 unknown
- Hunters Creek1,390 unknown
- Spring Valley193 lead + galv. lines
- Bellaireno lead reported
- Hedwig1,390 unknown
- Piney Point1,390 unknown
- Bunker Hillno lead reported
Check another water system
Questions
Does Houston, TX have lead pipes?
None are confirmed, but City of Houston still lists 427,111 service lines as unknown material.
Who supplies water to Houston?
EPA's service area maps place most of Houston in City of Houston's service area (PWSID TX1010013). Harris County MUD 537 also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Houston home has a lead service line?
Search your address on City of Houston's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Houston be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask City of Houston whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.