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

ZIP Code 78576 Water Quality & Testing Report

Penitas, TX · Hidalgo 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 78576 (Penitas, TX)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 78576 (Penitas, TX) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (65/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by CITY OF LA JOYA, 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

Low

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 78576

Tap water in ZIP code 78576 (Penitas, TX) is distributed by CITY OF LA JOYA (EPA ID: TX1080213), serving approximately 3,033 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 65/100.

Water System

CITY OF LA JOYA

EPA ID: TX1080213

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

3,033 residents

County

Hidalgo County County, Texas

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Lead Levels in ZIP 78576

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 78576. Contact CITY OF LA JOYA to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 78576 is rated Low. EPA models estimate a 18% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Low
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

18%
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 Hard11.1 GPG · 189 mg/L

Water in ZIP 78576 is Very Hard (189 mg/L / 11.1 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

11.1 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

189 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: CITY OF LA JOYA · PWSID: TX1080213

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

CITY OF LA JOYA 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 78576 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$5
Energy Burden

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

2.69%

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

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 78576

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 78576 served by CITY OF LA JOYA 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 78576 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:

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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 78576 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 78576?+
Tap water in 78576 (Penitas, 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 78576 (Penitas, TX)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 78576, 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 78576?+
Tap water in 78576 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 189 mg/L (11.1 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 78576?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 78576 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 78576 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 78576. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 78576?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 78576. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 78576?+
Tap water in ZIP code 78576 is provided by CITY OF LA JOYA (EPA ID: TX1080213), serving approximately 3,033 residents.
What water filter should I use in 78576?+
Based on water metrics for 78576, 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 78576 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 CITY OF LA JOYA. 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 →