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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 78116 Water Quality & Testing Report

Gillett, TX · Karnes County County · Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 78116 (Gillett, TX)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 78116 (Gillett, TX) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (66/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by El Oso Water Supply Corporation, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 78116

Tap water in ZIP code 78116 (Gillett, TX) is distributed by El Oso Water Supply Corporation (EPA ID: TX1280007), serving approximately 6,288 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 66/100.

Water System

El Oso Water Supply Corporation

EPA ID: TX1280007

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

6,288 residents

County

Karnes County County, Texas

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Lead Levels in ZIP 78116

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 78116. Contact El Oso Water Supply Corporation to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 78116 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 34% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

34%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard14.3 GPG · 244 mg/L

Water in ZIP 78116 is Very Hard (244 mg/L / 14.3 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

14.3 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

244 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: El Oso Water Supply Corporation · PWSID: TX1280007

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

El Oso Water Supply Corporation has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Unknown
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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 78116 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.49%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 78116

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 78116 served by El Oso Water Supply Corporation can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in TX for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 78116 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 78116 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 78116?+
Tap water in 78116 (Gillett, TX) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 78116 (Gillett, TX)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 78116, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in TX. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 78116?+
Tap water in 78116 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 244 mg/L (14.3 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 78116?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 78116 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 78116 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 78116. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 78116?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 78116. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 78116?+
Tap water in ZIP code 78116 is provided by El Oso Water Supply Corporation (EPA ID: TX1280007), serving approximately 6,288 residents.
What water filter should I use in 78116?+
Based on water metrics for 78116, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 78116 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by El Oso Water Supply Corporation. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →